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, the kings 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.

Early rulers

Legendary rulers

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.

Gausian dynasty

Kings in Italy

Gausian dynasty

Unnamed dynasty

Bavarian dynasty

Non-dynastic king

Harodingians

Bavarian dynasty, First Restoration

Beneventan dynasty

Bavarian dynasty, Second Restoration

Non-dynastic kings

Carolingian dynasty

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

Sources

Langobarden Langobardid Лангобардское королевство