Lombards
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Lombards. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
a people of Germanic , who were descent called by the Latin writers Longobardi 180 or, more correctly, Langobardi, a name which is differently derived by Lombe different authorities. The people so designated stry a first appear in his tory as settled and succe about the Lower Elbe, in Hanover and perors western Prussia, at the dawn of the Christian era. heir libe strong In the two centuries that followed they came more than once into conflict with the Romans nough to Longobardi were settled and were tributary to the oppression of these into revolt; they established themselves as the ruling race in Pannonia. Under they invaded Italy in themselves of the northern and central the last city to subpower as far subsequently extended their S. as Spoleto and the Benevento, both of which duchies were held by second successor, the Roman title 1815 it was restored to under the influence of his queen, Theodelinda gdom of to the , Frankish princess, the 15 it wa ted poli nation began to its Arian faith for the a stian Catholic. The ous race Longobardi, though never a numer- 1859, when Lomb , were distinguished for love of war, but in Italy they became more civilized, adopted of Bergamo, Brescia, the Latin language, began to build churches , Mantua, Milan, Pavia, and found monasteries, and gradually became of Ber 5,000,000. assimilated with the Italians . King Rothari in 643, and his successors, embodied the legal customs of the Lombards in a code, "Leges Longobardorum ." Liutprand, king from 712 to 744, made an unsuccessful attempt to subdue all Italy. His strongest opponent was the Pope, who summoned the Franks to his assistance . Charlemagne in 774 overthrew the Lombard dynasty, and had himself crowned King of the Franks and the Lombards; and henceforward the Lombards were entirely merged in the Italians. No traces of their language remain. Their earliest historian whose works survive, Paul the Deacon, wrote in Latin.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a Germanic people. In the sixth century they shifted from the valley of the Elbe and established themselves in northern Italy, giving their name to the kingdom of Lombardy. At one time the Lombards overran nearly all Italy. Charlemagne overthrew their kingdom and caused the "iron crown" of their kings to be set on his own head. Lombardy was later parceled out into duchies and republics of varying fortunes, chiefly under Austrian or other foreign domination, until, in 1860, the last of them was consolidated with the kingdom of modern Italy. The percentage of Teutonic blood is small. It is probable that the Lombards never formed a large percentage of the population. They were soon absorbed. In London, the foreign merchants, especially those from Italy, were known as Lombards. See Lombard Street Our Lombardy poplar derives its name from the Kingdom of the Lombards. The "iron crown" of the Lombards was a broad band of gold set with jewels. It took its name from a fillet or strip of iron running around with the golden band. This iron was reputed to have been wrought from a nail of the cross. The crown is now preserved in the church of Monza, a small town of northern Italy.