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The Carolingian Empire

Conquests: Lombardy

The Lombards had moved into Italy in the later 500s, destroying what was left of the Gothic kingdom and establishing their own. They ruled northern Italy for the next two centuries, until Charlemagne brought their rule to an end.

Charlemagne was married to the daughter of the Lombard king. He was not interested in maintaining the marriage, however, and while still a young man he repudiated her and sent her away, claiming the marriage was not valid.

This enraged the Lombard king, Desiderius, who immediately began conspiring to harm Charles however he might. To this end, he plotted rebellion with some Frankish lords. When this plot was discovered, Charles had all the excuse he needed to go to war.

Charles invaded Italy in 773. He defeated Desiderius at the Battle of Pavia that same year, capturing the king himself, whom he sent off to a monastery for safe-keeping. Charles proceeded then to claim for himself the iron crown of the Lombards and with this the Lombards fade into the background.

Remember this. Charles, king of the Franks, was now also king of the Lombards and thus lord of northern Italy. Central Italy was not his because Pepin had given it to the Pope. Southern Italy was still in Greek or Moslem hands. But the Kingdom of Italy, as it came to be known, was ruled by a northern prince. This is why later German kings will claim to have rights and powers here.