Radoald of Benevento

Radoald (also Raduald) (died 647) was the duke of Benevento (the southernmost Lombard duchy in medieval Italy) from 642 to his death in 647. His elder brother, Aiulf, was mentally unstable and Radoald and their younger brother Grimoald served as regents. Radoald and Grimoald were brothers and younger sons of Gisulf II of Friuli and Romilda of Friuli. They were adopted sons of Arechis I of Benevento, of whom Aiulf was a natural son.

In 642, Slavic plunderers landed near Siponto on the Adriatic. Aiulf personally led his forces against the intruders, but his horse fell into a pit dug by the Slavs around their camp and he was surrounded and killed. Radoald knew the Slavic language and having conversed with them, they lowered their guard; whereupon his forces fell on them with great slaughter, causing them to depart.^[1] With the support of King Rothari, Radoald succeeded Aiulf.

The Romans of Salernum negotiated a truce with Beneventum.^[2]

Radoald was succeeded by Grimoald.

References

Regnal titles
Preceded by Aiulf I	Duke of Benevento 646–647	Succeeded by Grimoald I

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[1] Hodgkin, Thomas. Italy and Her Invaders: The Lombard kingdom, 600-744, Clarendon Press, 1895, p. 81

[2] Richards, Jeffrey. The Popes and the Papacy in the Early Middle Ages (Routledge Revivals): 476-752, 2014, p. 324 ISBN 9781317678175

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