Grimoald, King of the Lombards
Grimoald or Grimwald was a 7th-century King of Italy, ruling as Duke of Benevento from 647 to 662, and then as King of the Lombards from 662 until his death in 671.
Life
Grimoald was born as the youngest son of Duke Gisulf II of Friuli and the Bavarian Princess Ramhilde, daughter of Duke Garibald I of Bavaria. When the Avars invaded Italy in 611, Gisulf's army was outnumbered and the duchy overrun. Gisulf died in battle; Grimoald and his brother Radoald escaped to Beneventum, where they were adopted by Duke Arechis, a distant kinsman.From 641 to 642, he and his brother served as regents to Arechis's son and successor Duke Aiulf I. Aiulf was killed in 642, defending against some Slavic invaders; he was succeeded by Radoald. In 647, Grimoald succeeded Radoald as Duke of Benevento. As duke, he successfully defended the Sanctuary of Monte Sant'Angelo on Mount Gargano from "Greeks", possibly from Naples, who had come to plunder.
Reign
In 661 Aripert I, King of the Lombards, was succeeded by his sons Perctarit, who governed from Milan, and Godepert from Pavia. In 662 the brothers fell out, and Godepert sent Garipald, Duke of Turin to persuade Grimoald to assist in a war against Perctarit. With the connivance of Garibald, Grimoald assassinated Godepert and forced Perctarit to flee. Garipald was subsequently killed by one of Godepert's retainers.Grimoald sent Perctarit's wife and son to Benevento and took over as King of the Lombards. He promptly married Godepert's sister Theodota, in order to associate himself with the Bavarian dynasty of Theodelinda. Grimoald passed on the title of Duke of Benevento to his eldest son Romuald.
His skill in battle secured victories in many border wars. He personally led his armies to victory against the Byzantines '' despite his marriage to a Catholic. He distanced himself from the papacy. However, he perceived Saint Michael—whose cult was spreading strongly from Monte Gargano—as the warrior-protector of the Lombard nation, replacing Wodan due to their similar narratives at the time. He had San Michele Maggiore built over the site of the Lombard Palace chapel in Pavia.
He died in 671 after concluding a treaty with the Franks. Grimoald was buried in the Basilica of St. Ambrose in Pavia
His son Garibald was elected to succeed him and was then deposed by the once exiled Perctarit in three months time. Grimoald was popular for his generosity and mercy, as well as his ruthlessness in war. His son Romuald was left in Benevento, which once again drifted away from the central authority.