The principal source for the history of Lombardy in the Middle Ages is the Historia Langobardorum by Paulus Diaconus: book 4 (chapter 51) and book 5 (chapters 1�33) provide the background and the historical basis of Handel�s opera Rodelinda. When Aripert, the king of Lombardy, died in 661 AD he left his kingdom to his two sons: Perctarit was to rule in Milan, and Godepert in Pavia. Soon there developed hostility between the brothers. Godepert sent Garipald, Duke of Turin, to Duke Grimuald of Benevento, in order to enlist his support in the conflict with Perctarit. As a reward for his help, Godepert promised Garipald the hand of his sister in marriage. (She is not named in the Historia Langobardorum; in Corneille, Salvi and Haym she is �duige/ Eduige.) The treacherous Garipald, however, persuaded Grimuald to seize the throne of Lombardy for himself. Grimuald killed Godepert and assurned sovereignty in Pavia. Hearing of this, Perctarit fled Milan and went into exile. His wife, Rodelinda, and their son, Cunicpert, were themselves sent into exile by Grimuald, who had now taken control in Milan as well. Garipald was murdered by a dwarf (a former member of the household of Godepert) in the church of St. John in Turin. Grimuald married Godepert�s sister. Perctarit returned to Milan, having been promised by Grimuald that no bann would come to him. But rumours were spread that popular support for Perctarit might enable him to regain the throne, and so Grimuald made elaborate plans to have him murdered. The attempt on Perctarit�s life was unsuccessful, however, and he escaped with the help of a valet and his faithful friend Unulfus. On discovering the escape, and the complicity of Unulfus and Perctarit�s valet, Grimuald showed the magnanimous side of his nature by praising the two for their fidelity, and allowing them to join Perctarit in exile in the land of the Franks. After several years Grimuald died. When he heard the news Perctarit returned to Milan, brought his wife and son back from exile, and assumed once more the throne of Lombardy.
Tato (???)
Wacho ( died 539)
Waltari (539 - 546)
Audoin (546 - 565)
Alboin (565) - 572)
Cleph (572 - 574)
(Ten year interregnum)
Authari (584 - 590)
Agilulf (591 - c. 616)
Adaloald (c.616 - c.626)
Arioald (c.626 - 636)
Rothari (636 - 652)
Rodoald (652 - 653)
Aripert (653 - 661)
Perctarit and Godepert (661 - 662)
Grimuald (662 - 671)
Perctarit (671 - 688) (restored from exile)
Cunincpert (688 - 700) (co-king from 680)
Alahis (689)
Liutpert (701)
Raginpert (701)
Aripert (701 - 712)
Ansprand (712)
Liutprand (712 - 744)
Hildeprand (744)
Ratchis (744 - 749)
Aistulf (749 - 756)
Desiderius (756 - 774)