Perctarit
| Perctarit | |
|---|---|
King of the Lombards | |
| Reign | 661 - 662 671 - 688 |
| Predecessor | Aripert I (first reign) Garibald (second reign) |
| Successor | Grimoald (first reign) Cunipert (second reign) |
| Co-Monarch | Godepert |
| Died | 688 |
| Dynasty | Bavarian dynasty |
| Father | Aripert I |
| Religion | Chalcedonian Christianity |
Perctarit (also Berthari) (died 688) was the first Catholic king of the Lombards who lead a religiously divided kingdom during the 7th Century. He ruled from 661 to 662 the first time and later from 671 to 688. He is significant for making Catholicism the official religion, sparing the life of an invading leader, and building projects around the capital.
He was one of two sons and successors of Aripert I who took power after the assassination of Rodoald. He shared power with his older brother Godepert. They were from the Bavarian Dynasty kings of the Lombards who descended from Garibald I.
Context of Lombard Politics
Perctarit ruled from Milan, Godepert from Pavia. He was a Catholic, whereas Godepert was an Arian. Aripert I was a Chalcedonian Christian a branch of Christianity upheld by Catholicism. Arian Christianity was seen in the Lombards from Rodoald who preceded Aripert I after Rodoald was assassinated in 653. Faith differences split the two brothers as tensions rose in the kingdom with zealous vassals looking for power. Perctarit’s reign shows the instability that was typical for many Lombard Kings.
In 6th and 7th century, any aspirant to power in Lombard politics might obtain legitimacy by becoming married to or deriving from a female member of the Lombard royal dynasty. The fact that Aripert I was the nephew of the well-known Lombard Queen Theodelinda may have played an integral part in his claim to the throne. Marrying a former queen or daughter of a monarch is a way to claim power.
The cultural origins of the Lombards are shown in the
Godepert called for the aid of Duke
The Beneventan had Godepert assassinated and took control of the kingdom, forcing Perctarit to flee. Perctarit first arrived at the court of the
Rule of Grimoald and Division in Kingdom
In 662, shortly after Perctarit and Godepert took power, a plot was brewing to remove the brother co-kings and install one of the Lombard dukes in their place. The leader against the co-kings was Grimoald I of Benevento with support from Garipald of Turin as an insider. Godepert mistrusted Garipald and kept him close as a diplomat and advisor. Garipald served Duke Grimoald's interests instead of Godepert’s. Godepert was reported to have been unaware that Duke Grimoald had amassed an army and was advancing on Pavia due to Garipald's misinformation and sabotage. According to narrative, Grimoald was greeted warmly by King Godepert, who was unaware of the danger he was in, upon the rebellious duke's arrival at the king's palace. Grimoald was invited to stay in the palace and enjoy feasts and entertainment. Grimoald took the throne after King Godepert was fatally stabbed during his stay.
After killing Godepert, Grimoald acts quickly and confirms his claim to the throne by marrying into the royal Lombard bloodline. He marries a daughter of Aripert I, a sister of Godepert, to claim his spot as King of the Lombards.[6] Grimoald attempted to kill Perctarit as well forcing him to flee any assassination attempts.
Grimoald’s reign shows the divide between Christians with Arians and Catholics both wanting to be the official religion. Yet, Pagan traditionalists are still popular in the Lombards as well. These three groups are fighting for support from the King and Grimoald causes divides that Perctarit will later try to mend. The Easter Day capture of Forlì by Grimoald caused unrest between pagans and Orthodox Christians, as many Christians were killed in the celebrations.[7] This act of violence against Christians shows that Paganism is not as inconsequential to Lombard society as even though Christianity has played a strong role in the foundation of the Lombard empire and conquest of the Italian Peninsula.[8]
While Perctarit has fled, Grimoald has troubles from invading forces trying to take over. Notably the Avars into Venetia which he repelled and a Frankish army that was sent from the Western Alps.[7] Constans II launched an attack on Grimoald while Frankish forces attacked yet the Lombards held as Constans forces got held up in other battles. With these important victories for the Lombards Grimoald was held in a popular view.[7] Despite some popularity, when he is assassinated in 671 the Lombards do not elect the new King to be either of his two sons or his daughter. Instead, they choose to recall their exiled King Perctarit after 10 years to return as King of the Lombards.[9] Perctarit prepared to sail to Britain, but news of Grimoald's death reached him first and he returned to Italy.[10]
Return, Catholicism, Impact
In 671, Perctarit returned from exile and reclaimed his realm, which was being ruled on behalf of Grimoald's son
He is responsible for the building of the famous nunnery of
Though Perctarit was peaceful in his reign the kingdom of the Lombards will not remain this way long. Cunipert, son of Perctarit, provided aid and guidance during the reign of his father starting in Perctarit’s eighth year. Cunipert supports him through the last ten years of his reign.[12] In History of the Langobards Paul describes Cunipert as influential to Perctarit’s mercy on Alahis after he is captured during the rebellion.[13] Cunipert will succeed Perctarit as king after he is killed in 688. He was succeeded by his more combative son, who would battle against the man his father had captured and released.
His daughter Wigilinda married Duke
References
Notes
- ISBN 978-0-8122-1079-8.
- ISBN 978-0-8122-1079-8.
- ISSN 0971-9458.
- ISBN 978-0-8122-1079-8.
- ^ "German Tribes org Lombard Kings". GermanTribes.org. Archived from the original on 2010-07-18. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
- ^ Oman, Charles (1914). The Dark Ages: 476-918 (6 ed.). Rivingtons. p. 273.
- ^ a b c Oman, Charles (1914). The Dark Ages: 476-918 (6 ed.). Rivingtons. p. 274.
- ISSN 0971-9458.
- ^ a b Oman, Charles (1914). The Dark Ages: 476-918. Rivingtons. p. 275.
- ^ "German Tribes org Lombard Kings". 2011-05-23. Archived from the original on 2011-05-23. Retrieved 2023-12-09.
- ^ Brown, T. S. The New Cambridge Medieval History: II. c. 700 - c. 900. p. 321.
- ISBN 978-0-8122-1079-8.
- ISBN 978-0-8122-1079-8.
- ^ Majocchi, Piero. "The politics of memory of the Lombard monarchy in Pavia, the kingdom's capital". Materializing Memory. Archaeological material culture and the semantics of the past. Retrieved 29 July 2022.
Sources
- Brown, T. S. (1991). "Byzantine Italy c. 680 - c.876". In Rosamond McKitterick (ed.). The New Cambridge Medieval History: II. c. 700 - c. 900. Cambridge University Press. p. 321.