Imberg, duchess of Asti

Biography

Imberg (8th-century – d. before 744) was a Duchess consort of Asti by marriage to Theodon, and duchess regent of Asti after the death of her son.[1]

She was the daughter of Ansprand and the sister of Liutprand, King of the Lombards. Her father, who was Duke of Asti prior to becoming king, arranged a marriage between Imberg and Theodon of Asti, and appointed his son-in-law as duke of Asti. She was widowed at an unknown date. At this point, her brother Liutprand hade become king, and he allowed for his sister's son Ansulf to become duke. Her son, however, died on an unknown date after a short rule. No longer having a son, Imberg was allowed by her brother the king to become duchess regnant of Asti herself. However, there is no documentation preserved of her reign, nor are there dates of her birth, death or accession. It is known that she was dead by the time her brother died in 744, as Aliprand was appointed Duke of Asti in that year.

From Russian Wikipedia

There is very little information about the rulers of the Duchy of Asti after Ansprand, who owned it in 688-702. Medieval chronicles report four more rulers of Asti of the Lombard period: Theodone, Ansulf, Imberg and Aliprand. However, the first three of them are not mentioned in modern historical sources, so it is not known how reliable the information given about these persons[1].

According to the chronicles created in Asti, Imberga was the daughter of Ansprand, who ruled the Kingdom of Lombard for several months in 712. Shortly after the death of her father, Imberg was married by her brother, the new King Liutprand, to the newly appointed Duke of Asti Theodotus. These grants were a response to the Lombard monarch for the assistance provided by the Duke Theodon II of Bavaria to his father Ansprand in the overthrow of Aripert II[1][2][3].

After Theodotus' death, the Duchy of Asti was inherited by his son Ansulf, who soon died hunting. Since he left no heirs, Imberga, with the consent of King Liutprand, became the ruler of all the possessions of her husband and son. There is no information about her reign. Imberga died shortly before her brother's death. According to medieval authors, Liutprand was very sad about the death of his beloved sister. Rathys, who became the new Lombard king in 744, transferred the Duchy of Asti to his close Aliprand[1][2][3].

References

1. Ardesco Molina G. Notizie storiche profane della città d'Asti. - Asti: Appresso Francesco Pila Stampatore Vescovile, 1774. - Vol. I. - s. 145-146.
2. Carlo Cipolla, Appunti per la storia di Asti, Venezia 1891.
3. Niccola Gabiani, Asti nei principali suoi ricordi storici, voll. I, II e III, Tipografia Vinassa, 1927-1934.
4. S. Grassi, Storia della Città di Asti, voll. I e II, Atesa, 1987.
5. L. Vergano, Storia di Asti, voll. I, II e III, Tipografia S. Giuseppe, Asti 1953-1957.
6. https://fmg.ac/Projects/MedLands/ITALY,%20Kings%20to%20962.htm#_Toc... - not listed as daughter of Ansprand I, King of the Lombards

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