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The Lombards (Langobards, "long-beards") were originally a small Germanic tribe on the lower Elbe (in today's northern Germany). Over centuries they migrated south and finally, in 568 AD, founded a kingdom in Italy that lasted until 774 – their name lives on to this day in "Lombardy".
Their origin legend is a rare treasure: it preserves a genuine continental god's name. Before a battle, according to the Origo gentis Langobardorum, the Winnili asked the goddess Frea for help. She advised their women to tie their long hair like a beard in front of their faces. When Godan (Wodan) awoke in the morning and saw the "long-beards", he gave them victory and the new name.
"Who are these long-beards?" – and Godan gave them the name and the victory.after the Origo gentis Langobardorum / Paulus Diaconus (public domain, own translation)
This legend is more than a pretty story: it is evidence of the Wodan cult on the continent – Godan and Frea are clearly Wodan and Frija/Frigg. Paul the Deacon, who wrote the legend down in the 8th century, calls it "ridiculous" himself – but precisely thereby he preserved a piece of pagan belief.
The Lombards combine Germanic migration, the founding of a kingdom and one of the few continental god-attestations in one. More on their gods in the article Wodan, Donar & Ziu.
Germanic Religion · Wodan, Donar & Ziu · The Suebi · The Marcomanni · Interpretatio Romana.
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