Desiderius—seeking, like his predecessors, to extend the…

Desiderius—seeking, like his predecessors, to extend the Lombard power in Italy—comes into collision with the papacy and the southern duchies.

In the same year Desiderius associates to his kingdom the son of Adelchis, Alboin, the duchy of Benevento and Liutprand, that of Spoleto are coaxed by Pope Stephen to commend themselves to the Franks and thus separate themselves again from monarchy.

They then place themselves under the protection of Pepin.