Paulus Diaconus

Paulus Diaconus (circa 720-95), the Lombard historian, was of noble birth, and received the best education the times could supply. His retirement to the monastery of Monte Cassino about 744 seems to have been due to the overthrow of the Lombard kingdom by Charles the Great. He subsequently resided for some years in France, and was patronised by Charles the Great, but returned to his convent before his death. His chief work was his History of the Lombards, extending to the death of King Liutprand, in 744. Much of the material was taken from the histories of Secundus of Trient and Gregory of Tours.