The Langobards (or Langobardi) originated in and above northern Silesia (now western Poland). It is probable that they, like the Goths, originated in southern Scandinavia and were forced to migrate due to population expansion. They were also known by their original ethnic name, the Winnili (which probably means “the little winners.”)

Although it is thought that Langobard means “long beards” this is a common misconception and actually means “hound clan.” Their founder is named as Sceafa Longbeardum.

The Langobards played a part in the downfall of the Roman empire. They migrated south in the sixth century to fill the north bank of the Danube in Hungary following the collapse of the Huns. After being used as a mercenary army by the Byzantine empire, the Lombards began to invade northern Italy.

The death of Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I in 565 CE ended a period of strong rule in Italy. In 568 CE, the Lombards, along with other remnants, enter and take control of Northern Italy, eventually infiltrating most of the country (apart from Rome itself). Their attacks badly affect Rome, cutting it off from the Byzantine empire, creating famine, and causing records to be destroyed. The Lombards did not seek to preserve the ancient Roman methods of governance. Their kingdom in the north and the independent Lombard duchies to the south introduced a Germanic culture to the peninsular, which eventually made Italy integrate with the majority of Western Europe.

In 661 CE, following the death of Lombard King Aribert, the kingdom is divided between his two sons (Godepert and Bertharit), with capitals in Milan and Pavia. Not content with half the kingdom, Godepert starts a war against his brother. He invites Duke Grimoald of Benevento to assist him, but the duke instead assassinates him and takes control of his territory. Within a year, Grimoald has forced Bertharit to flee the kingdom and is now king of a once-more united Lombard throne.

In 671, Grimoald dies, and his young son, Garibold, takes the throne. Bertharit returns from exile, where he has been sheltering with the Franks, in order to regain his kingdom now that Grimoald is dead. The young Garibald offers little resistance in the face of the popularity of the returning king.

In 755 CE, King Daufer attacks Rome, which is now reduced to her ancient territory from Viterbo to Terracina and from Narni to the mouth of the Tiber. Pope Adrian calls upon the Frankish King Charlemagne for support and aid. Charlemagne enters Italy (and Corsica) and breaks the Lombards, taking the title of ‘king of the Lombards’ for himself. Daufer is imprisoned, and his son, Adelchis, is forced to flee the country. Rome gains part of the Lombard duchy of Benevento out of the conquest, while the rest signals its independence as a continuation of the Lombard kingdom.

In 781, Pepin, son of Charlemagne, is given command of the Italian portion of the Frankish empire, which includes the former Lombard territories. He also gains the iron crown of the rex Langobardum (king of the Lombards), and it remains in use by the Frankish kings of Italy.

Today, the legacy of the Langobards is preserved in the name of the region of Lombardy in northern Italy.