Peace lasted between the Langobards and Gepidæ while the old kings
Audoin and Thurisind lived, but after their death a bloody feud broke
out between the rival tribes. At length Künemund and many of the
noblest Gepidæ fell under the axes of Alboin and his people. Upon which
the Langobardian king had his enemy’s skull set as a goblet in a silver
rim, and used it for drinking solemn toasts at the great feasts. Then
he married Rosamund, and she, poor soul, hated him as the murderer of
her father. She had to feign love, though she would willingly have
strangled her husband with her own hands. She bore her lot as well as
might be, all the while nursing the secret hope that she might one day
avenge her father’s death.
Alboin had no idea of the thoughts that filled his wife’s heart. Intent
on conquest, he crossed the Alps into Italy at the head of his own
people, of those Gepidæ who had followed the fortunes of their
princess, and of other adventurers who had joined his train. This he
did in response to an invitation from the Roman general Narses, victor
over the Ostrogoths, who feeling himself slighted by the imperial
court, had determined on vengeance. Alboin carried all before him, and
destroyed every town and fortress that did not at once open its gates
to receive him. Pavia alone offered a long resistance. During his three
years’ siege of that city, the Langobardian king made raids into the
neighbouring country and brought it under his rule. One warrior alone
was equal to him in prowess, and that was Peredeus, a giant, who was
said to possess the strength of twelve ordinary men. At last the gates
of Pavia opened, and Alboin, who had sworn to put the inhabitants to
fire and sword, rode in under the archway. Just then his horse
stumbled, and a priest exclaimed that this was an omen that he should
die a violent death if he kept his word. The king believed the warning,
forgave, and spared the city.
[Illustration: ALBOIN FORCES ROSAMUND TO DRINK OUT OF HER FATHER’S
SKULL.]