The Langobard reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Jul-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Langobard

The Langobards were a Germanic tribe from Scandinavia. They were also known as the Lombards.

Around 560, the Langobards under the rule of King Alboin, penetrated into Northern Italy and established their capital, Pavia. They invaded with an army of more than 20,000 men, both Germanic and Slavs. They expanded south towards Ravenna and Rome, the two Roman capitals. Gradually, they adopted Roman titles, names, and traditions, and converted to the Roman Catholic church.

The word "Langobard" means "long beard", but the name comes from the long-bearded axe, a weapon they often used in war, .

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