The story of their king Alboin, with whom we have particularly to deal, begins, however, with a story which may be in part legendary.  They were now in hostile relations with the Gepidae, the first nation to throw off the yoke of the Huns.  Alboin, son of Audoin, king of the Longobardi, killed Thurismund, son of Turisend, king of the Gepidae, in battle, but forgot to carry away his arms, and thus returned home without a trophy of his victory.  In consequence, his stern father refused him a seat at his table, as one unworthy of the honor.  Such was the ancient Lombard custom, and it must be obeyed.

The young prince acknowledged the justice of this reproof, and determined to try and obtain the arms which were his by right of victory.  Selecting forty companions, he boldly visited the court of Turisend, and openly demanded from him the arms of his son.  It was a daring movement, but proved successful.  The old king received him hospitably, as the custom of the time demanded, though filled with grief at the loss of his son.  He even protected him from the anger of his subjects, whom some of the Lombards had provoked by their insolence of speech.  The daring youth returned to his father’s court with the arms of his slain foe, and won the seat of honor of which he had been deprived.

Turisend died, and Cunimund, his son, became king.  Audoin died, and Alboin became king.  And now new adventures of interest occurred.  In his visit to the court of Turisend, Alboin had seen and fallen in love with Rosamond, the beautiful daughter of Cunimund.  He now demanded her hand in marriage, and as it was scornfully refused him, he revenged himself by winning her honor through force and stratagem.  War broke out in consequence, and the Gepidae were conquered, Rosamond falling to Alboin as part of the trophies of victory.

We are told that in this war Alboin sought the aid of Bacan, chagan of the Avars, promising him half the spoil and all the land of the Gepidae in case of victory.  He added to this a promise of the realm of the Longobardi, in case he should succeed in winning for them a new home in Italy, which country he proposed to invade.

About fifteen years before, some of his subjects had made a warlike expedition to Italy.  Their report of its beauty and fertility had kindled a spirit of emulation in the new generation, and inspired the young and warlike king with ambitious hopes.  His eloquence added to their desire.  He not only described to them in glowing words the land of promise which he hoped to win, but spoke to their senses as well, by producing at the royal banquets the fairest fruits that grew in that garden land of Europe.  His efforts were successful.  No sooner was his standard erected, and word sent abroad that Italy was his goal, than the Longobardi found their strength augmented by hosts of adventurous youths from the surrounding peoples.  Germans, Bulgarians, Scythians, and others joined in ranks, and twenty thousand Saxon warriors, with their wives and children, added to the great host which had flocked to the banners of the already renowned warrior.