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History of the Franks
St Gregory of Tours, tr. Dalton, 1927
Book 4, 41. How Alboin with the Lombards Invaded Italy
Alboin, king of the Lombards, who had espoused Chlothsind,1 daughter of King Lothar, abandoned his own country, and set out for Italy with the whole Lombard people.2 The men of the departing host marched with their wives and children, intending to establish themselves in Italy. When they had passed into that country, for seven years they traversed it in all directions, despoiling churches, slaying bishops, and bringing it under their domination. On the death of his consort Chlothsind, Alboin married a second time, taking to wife one whose father he had killed no long time before.3 For which reason this woman ever held her lord in loathing, and waited her occasion to avenge her father’s wrongs. Having cast her eyes upon one of her servants, she poisoned her lord, and as soon as he was dead, eloped with the servant. They were taken, and put to death together.4 The Lombards then set up another king to reign over them.
Notes
- Cf. ch. 3, above.
- A. D. 568.
- Rosamund, daughter of Cunimund, king of the Gepids.
- A. D. 572-3.