Siege of Pavia (773–774)

Quick Facts: Who was Siege of Pavia (773–774)?

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Siege of Pavia (773–774)

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The decisive military campaign where Charlemagne defeated the Lombard Kingdom in 773–774.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The siege or battle of Pavia was fought in 773–774 in northern Italy, near Ticinum (modern Pavia), and resulted in the victory of the Franks under Charlemagne against the Lombards under King Desiderius. Charlemagne, rex Francorum, had succeeded to the throne in 768 jointly with his brother Carloman. At the time there was antagonism between not only the two ruling brothers, but between the king of the Lombards, Desiderius, and the papacy. In 772, Pope Hadrian I expelled all the Lombard officials from the papal curia. In response, Desiderius invaded papal territory, even taking Otriculum (modern Otricoli), just a day's march from Rome.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Hadrian called Charlemagne for assistance. Charles had produced an alliance with the Lombards by marrying one of Desiderius' daughters, Desiderata; within a year, however, he had changed his mind about the marriage and alliance, and divorced his wife, sending her back to her father. This was taken as an insult by the Lombards. Upon the death of Carloman in 771, his own wife, Gerberge, fled the kingdom with her children for reasons now unclear (Einhard disingenuously protests that she spurned her husband's brother "for no reason at all") and sought refuge with Desiderius at Pavia. Desiderius now returned the insult to the Franks by giving her asylum, and protesting that her children be allowed their share of the Kingdom of the Franks.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The relationship between Frank and Lombard now broke down completely and the pope took full advantage. His embassy landed at Marseille and travelled to Thionville, where they delivered this message: They [the Lombards] would attack us [the pope] by land and water, conquer the city of Rome and lead ourselves into captivity. Therefore we implore you by the living God and the Prince of the Apostles to hasten to our aid immediately, lest we be destroyed. Charlemagne ascertained the truth of Desiderius' aggressions and the threat he posed to his own Frankish realm and marched his troops towards Italy in the early summer of 773. Charles' army had 10,000–40,000 troops; he divided it in half, giving command of one half to his uncle, Bernard, son of Charles Martel, and led it through the Alpine passes; he through that of the Dora Susa near Mont Cenis, and Bernard through the Great St Bernard Pass.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Siege of Pavia (773–774)

True or False: “Did Pope Hadrian I request Charlemagne's aid because Desiderius was threatening the Papacy from both land and water?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text states that the papal embassy reported that the Lombards would attack them by land and water, leading to their plea for immediate assistance.

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