Hildeprand
Who was Hildeprand?
King of the Lombards
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Hildeprand (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Hildeprand (died after 744) was King of the Lombards from around 735. He initially ruled with his uncle Liutprand and then by himself after Liutprand died in 744, but he was overthrown later that year. Hildeprand, son of Sigiprand, the Duke of Asti, also held the title of duke before becoming king. In 734, when Liutprand became seriously ill during or just after the Lombards captured Byzantine Ravenna, the Lombard nobility anticipated his death and chose Hildeprand as the next king. Liutprand recovered unexpectedly, however, and reluctantly accepted Hildeprand as co-ruler despite his displeasure.
As co-king, Hildeprand was active in military efforts against both Byzantine and papal interests. In 735, he suffered a major defeat when Pope Gregory II formed a coalition that included Byzantine exarch Eutychius, Duke Ursus of Venetia, and Patriarch Antoninus of Grado. This coalition, aided by a large Venetian fleet, retook Ravenna. During this battle, Hildeprand and Duke Peredeo of Vicenza were captured by Venetian forces, as recorded in documents from that time.
After his release, Hildeprand continued his military efforts against church territories. In 739, while Liutprand focused on attacking papal lands in the Duchy of Rome, Hildeprand raided church properties near Ravenna. He later joined Liutprand in August that year to attack the Pentapolis region. These campaigns kept up pressure on Byzantine and papal territories in central Italy.
As Liutprand's health declined in 743, political tensions rose within the Lombard kingdom. A group favoring the pope, possibly led by Duke Ratchis of Friuli, may have formed. When Liutprand died in 744, Hildeprand assumed sole rule, being formally elected in Pavia near the church of Santa Maria delle Pertiche in front of the Lombard army. However, his time as independent king was short. Within months, Ratchis led a revolt that toppled Hildeprand and quickly established peace with Pope Zachary. Hildeprand's short reign as king resulted in him being called 'the Useless' by later writers.
Before Fame
Hildeprand was born into the Lombard nobility as the son of Sigiprand, duke of Asti, placing him among the powerful ducal families that ruled Lombard territories in northern Italy. Before becoming king, he was a duke, gaining valuable military and administrative experience in the Lombard political system. His path to the throne was helped by his family ties to the royal house through his uncle Liutprand, who became king in 712.
During this time, the Lombard kingdom was often at odds with the Byzantine Empire and the Papacy over territorial control in Italy. Military skills and political alliances among the nobility were crucial for advancement, and Hildeprand proved himself by taking part in key campaigns, including the 734 siege of Ravenna. This brought him recognition just as Liutprand's illness opened a chance for him to succeed.
Key Achievements
- Successfully participated in the Lombard capture of Byzantine Ravenna in 734
- Maintained co-rule with Liutprand for nearly a decade from 735-744
- Led effective military campaigns against papal territories around Ravenna in 739
- Secured peaceful succession to sole rule following Liutprand's death in 744
Did You Know?
- 01.He was elected king twice by Lombard nobles - first in 734 when they thought his uncle Liutprand was dying, then again in 744 after Liutprand actually died
- 02.He was captured by Venetian forces during the second siege of Ravenna in 735 alongside Duke Peredeo of Vicenza
- 03.His formal election as sole king took place near the church of Santa Maria delle Pertiche in Pavia
- 04.He earned the nickname 'the Useless' due to his brief and ineffective independent reign
- 05.His spouse Ragintruda represents one of the few documented royal marriages of the Lombard period