Alboin: King of the Lombards

Alboin was king of the Lombards from 560 to 572 AD. He defeated two enemy kings in battle, and led his people into Italy where they founded a kingdom. The Lombard Kingdom under Alboin is described as a golden age by Paul the Deacon, who wrote much about the Lombards. However, Alboin is better known for antagonizing his wife into killing him. His name means “Elf Friend” of which the Anglo Saxon equivalent is Aelfwine. Probably because of this, Alboin caught the attention of JRR Tolkien where he was going to be worked into the lore, and would appear in “The Lost Road,” which was unfortunately never finished. Sources: