History of the Lombards, by Paul the Deacon (c. 720-c. 799), is among
the most important and oldest accounts of the Germanic nation. The book
preserves many ancient myths and popular traditions and draws from
sources that are now lost. The history traces the changing fortunes of
the Lombards, the last of the migratory Germanic peoples to enter the
western part of the old Roman Empire, from their first appearance in the
West in the sixth century to the middle of the eighth century. The
popularity of Paul the Deacon's book has endured over the centuries and,
although there have been numerous translations and editions, this
remains the only one in English.