The kings of the Lombards or reges Langobardorum (singular rex Langobardorum) were the monarchs of the Lombard people from the early 6th century until the Lombardic identity became lost in the 9th and 10th centuries. After 774, they were not Lombards, but Franks. From the 12th century, the votive crown and reliquary known as the Iron Crown (Corona Ferrea) retrospectively became a symbol of their rule, though it was never used by Lombard kings.

The primary sources for the Lombard kings before the Frankish conquest are the anonymous 7th-century Origo Gentis Langobardorum and the 8th-century Historia Langobardorum of Paul the Deacon. The earliest kings (the pre-Lethings) listed in the Origo are almost certainly legendary. They purportedly reigned during the Migration Period. The first ruler attested independently of Lombard tradition is Tato.

List of kings of the Lombards

Early rulers

Legendary rulers

Shava

Ybor and Agio, brothers, together with their mother Gambara, who led the emigration from Scandinavia Agilmund, son of Agio Laiamicho (Lamissio) Ortnit

List of kings of the Lombards

Lething dynasty

The Lethings were an early dynasty from the time of Lethuc. The last ruling descendant of Lethuc was Walthari, whose son was in turn displaced by Audoin of the family of the Gausi.

List of kings of the Lombards

Lethuc (fl. c. 400), ruled for some 40 years. Aldihoc (mid-5th century) Godehoc (480s), led the Lombards into modern-day Austria Claffo (fl. c. 500) Tato (early 6th century, died perhaps 510), his son Ildichus died in exile Wacho (510–539), son of Unichus Walthari (539–546), son of Wacho

Gausian dynasty

Audoin (546–565), led the Lombards into Pannonia

Kings in Italy

Gausian dynasty

Alboin (565–572)

Unnamed dynasty

Cleph (572–574) Rule of the Dukes (Ten year interregnum) Authari (584–590), son of previous Agilulf (591–c. 616), cousin of previous

Bavarian dynasty

Adaloald (c. 616–c. 626)

Non-dynastic king

Arioald (c. 626–636)

Harodingians

Rothari (636–652) Rodoald (652–653)

Bavarian dynasty, First Restoration

Aripert I (653–661) Perctarit and Godepert (661–662)

Beneventan dynasty

Grimuald (662–671) Garibald (671)

Bavarian dynasty, Second Restoration

Perctarit (671–688) (restored from exile) Alahis (688–689), rebel Cunincpert (688–700) Liutpert (700–701) Raginpert (701) Aripert II (701–712)

Non-dynastic kings

Ansprand (712) Liutprand (712–744) Hildeprand (744) Ratchis (744–749) Aistulf (749–756) Desiderius (756–774)

Carolingian dynasty

Charlemagne conquered the Lombards in 774 at the invitation of Pope Adrian I.

Charlemagne (774–781) in personal union, passed kingship to his third son, Pepin. Pepin (or Pippin) (781–810), king under authority of Charlemagne Bernard (810–818) Lothair I (818–839) Louis II (839–875)

The title rex Langobardorum, synonymous with rex Italiae, lasted well into the High Middle Ages, but subsequent holders are found at King of Italy.

Family tree

Notes

Sources

Lombards Kings

de:Langobarden#Könige der Langobarden

et:Langobardid#Langobardide kuningate loend

ru:Лангобардское королевство#Короли лангобардов