Romuald I of Benevento

Romuald I (also spelled Romoald and in Italian Romualdo), duke of Benevento (662–687) was the son of Grimoald, king of the Lombards. When his father usurped the throne in 662, he left Benevento under Romuald[1] and sent the deposed king Perctarit's wife, Rodelinde, and son, Cunincpert, into exile at the Romuald's court in Benevento.

Romuald betrothed his sister Gisa to Roman Emperor Constans II. The Byzantines were then besieging Benevento and Romuald's valiant defence of the city was failing, when Grimoald showed up and routed the Roman menace. Romuald then took Taranto and Brindisi, much limiting the Imperial influence in the region. He received military aid from the possibly Bulgar or Avar Alzeco horde, which had recently entered Italy due to power struggles in Pannonia. In return, he gave them grazing rights and Alzeco the title of gastald in 667.

Romuald never saw the kingdom his father had won and so well defended; Perctarit returned and ceased the kingship. He was succeeded at Benevento by his son by Theodrada, daughter of Duke Lupus of Friuli, Grimoald II.

Notes
  1. Chris Wickham, Early Medieval Italy: Central Power and Local Society, 400–1000 (London: Macmillan, 1981), 38.
gollark: Historical coincidence, better memetics, possibly monotheism making it easier to justify wiping out of competing beliefs, I guess?
gollark: It's *mostly* gone though, based on my approximate knowledge of religious leanings.
gollark: Besides, who says that isn't mostly driven by historical coincidence and resources and such?
gollark: Which is still a somewhat subjective arbitrary thing to judge them by.
gollark: * use

References
  • Gwatkin, H.M., Whitney, J.P. (ed) The Cambridge Medieval History: Volume II—The Rise of the Saracens and the Foundations of the Western Empire. Cambridge University Press, 1926.
Regnal titles
Preceded by
Grimoald I		 Duke of Benevento
662–687		 Succeeded by
Grimoald II
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