Columbanus, Bobbio, and the Lombards

The monastery of Bobbio was characterized by a strong connection with the Lombard court of Pavia, beginning with the arrival of Columbanus in Italy in 612 or 613. The relations between the monastery and the Lombard court are proved by many royal diplomas. There was in particular a very strong relationship between Bobbio and the Lombard monarchy. The popes also favored Bobbio and issued two bulls placing the monastery under their jurisdiction. Bobbio’s role in the history of the Lombard kingdom has traditionally been linked to the Three Chapters heresy and the schism associated with it. Columbanus is part of this context because he sent one letter to Pope Boniface IV, urging him to assemble a council to resolve the schism. Bobbio was the first example of a royal monastery, a model reprised, with great success, with San Salvatore of Brescia in the following century.