ALBOIN, the founder of the Lombard Empire, in the early part of his career of conquest, attacked and defeated the Gepida under Cunimund, whose brother Turimund had fallen some years before by the same hand. After his victory, Alboin conceived a passion for Rosamund, the daughter of Cunimund, and, upon the death of his first wife, Clotosvinda, daughter of Clovis, married her. In accordance with the savage custom of the race, Alboin had the skull of Cunimund whom he had killed with his own hand, converted into a drinking-cup, but this remained long unknown to his Gepidan wife. At a banquet in Verona, in the presence of his queen, Alboin, having drank heavily, called for the wine-cup, and insisted on her drinking from it, not hesitating to reveal its history. 66 From that moment Rosamund plotted revenge. Helmich (described as a confidential officer of the court") was taken into her counsels in the matter, and his services secured by the promise of her hand, on Alboin's death. To Peredeo, a renowned chief and a formidable warrior, somewhat disaffected to Alboin, the project of assassination was broached, but he refused complicity. The queen was not thus to be baulked; for, personating a mistress of Peredeo's, she went to his chamber, subsequently discovered herself, and threatened the chief with Alboin's vengeance. Perceiving the desperate resolution of Rosamund, Peredeo consented to participate in the proposed murder. One night, after the king had retired to his chamber, stupefied with wine, the palace guards were dismissed by the queen's orders; she fastened the sleeper's sword to its scabbard, and called in the conspirators, who speedily overcame the drowsy and disarmed monarch. |