Romuald I of Benevento
Romuald I ( also: Romoald, Romwald; † 687 ) was 662-687 Duke of Benevento.
Life
Romuald was the eldest son of the dux of Benevento and later Lombard Grimoald and his wife Ita.
As Grimoald became king in the year 662, he appointed Romuald for dux of Benevento.
662 the Byzantine emperor Constans II landed with his army at Taranto. He conquered many cities in Benevento. Luceria ( Lucera ) was razed to the ground, the heavily fortified Agerentia ( Acerenza ) could hold. Dux Romuald sent from besieged Benevento messengers to his father Grimoald with the request for reinforcements. Grimoald left his palace in the custody of the dux Lupus of Friuli and marched to Benevento. As Constans II learned of the Middle Grimoalds, he was, inter alia, Romuald sister Gisa make hostage and took on peace negotiations. The negotiations failed and he retired to Naples fighting back. After the Byzantine Optimat (commander ) Saburrus had been beaten with 20,000 troops by Romuald the river Forino devastating to Constans took 663 back to Sicily.
To 664 married Grimoald his son Romuald with Theuderada, daughter of lupus dux of Friuli. With her he had three sons: Grimoald II, Gisulf I. and Arichis. Romuald was probably under the influence of his wife, the Catholics hostile policies of his predecessor. Theuderada and Bishop barbatus were very successful in proselytizing the halbheidnischen or irreligious Lombards.
Alzeco (also Alzek ), a Khagan (prince ) of the Proto-Bulgarians, crossed the Alps 667 and led his army peacefully to Northern Italy in the area around Ravenna. Grimoald sent him to Benevento, where he received friendly dux Romuald. Alzeco were, inter alia, the cities Sepinum ( Sepino ) Bovianum ( Boiano ) and Isernia in Molise awarded, under the condition that he dux on the title and renounce his claim to the title and gastaldius suppose.
After his father died Grimoald was 671, Romuald gave the new king Perctarit out his wife and son Rodelinda Cunincpert who were held hostage in Benevento for 9 years. A few years later married Romuald his son and designated successor Grimoald II with Perctarits daughter Wigilinde.
In the 680er years Romuald captured the Byzantine cities of Tarentum ( Taranto ), and Brundisium (Brindisi ) and extensive areas of Southern Italy. His wife Theuderada was at that time outside the walls of Benevento build St. Peter's church and a convent nuns.
As Romuald died 687, was Grimoald II succeeded him as dux of Benevento.
Swell
- Paul the Deacon, Historia Langobardorum