Gisulf I ( la, Gisulfus I) was probably the first

duke of Friuli The dukes and margraves of Friuli were the rulers of the Duchy and March of Friuli in the Middle Ages. The dates given below, when contentious, are discussed in the articles of the respective dukes. Lombard dukes * 568–c.584 Grasulf I ...

(then ''Forum Julii''). He was a nephew of Alboin, first king of the Lombards in

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical ...

, who appointed him duke around 569 after the Lombard conquest of the region, though some scholars believe he appointed his brother Grasulf I, Gisulf's father. Before this, Gisulf had been Alboin's ''

marpahis Marepaphias (also ''mar(e)pahis'') was a Lombard title of Germanic origin meaning "master of the horse," probably somewhat analogous to the Latin title ''comes stabuli'' or constable. According to Grimm, it came from ''mar'' or ''mare'' meaning ...

'' or "master of the horse", sometimes considered a shield-bearer. He was, according to Paul the Deacon, "a man suitable in every way." He asked Alboin for permission to choose which ''faras'' or clans he would lead or rule over in Friuli, and this request was granted. He thus chose which families would settle permanently in Friuli, and he "acquired the honour of a leader (''ducior'')."Paul, bk 2, ch I

. As well, Alboin granted him a great herd of Mare (horse), mares, perhaps in recognition of his former service. He reigned during the

Rule of the Dukes The Rule of the Dukes was an interregnum in the Lombard Kingdom of Italy (574/5–584/5) during which Italy was ruled by the Lombard dukes of the old Roman provinces and urban centres. The interregnum is said to have lasted a decade accordin ...

from 575 to 585. He was succeeded by his son, Gisulf II.

Notes

Sources

* Paul the Deacon
''Historia Langobardorum''
Available at Northvegr. * Andreas Bergomatis
''Chronicon'' at the Institut für Mittelalter Forschung.
Year of birth missing 590 deaths Dukes of Friuli 6th-century Lombard people Lombard warriors 6th-century rulers in Europe {{Italy-noble-stub