thumb|Perctarit's [[monogram, found on silver
denarii he minted after 672]]
Perctarit (also
Berthari; died 688) was king of the
Lombards from 661 to 662 the first time and later from 671 to 688. He was the son and successor of
Aripert I. He shared power with his brother
Godepert. He was a
Catholic, Godepert an
Arian. He ruled from
Milan, Godepert from
Pavia. Godepert called up the aid of Duke
Grimoald I of Benevento in a war with Perctarit, but the Beneventan had him assassinated and took over the kingdom forcing Perctarit to flee. He first arrived at the court of the
Avar khagan Kakar. However, his wife, Rodelinde and their son
Cunincpert were captured by Grimoald and sent to
Benevento. He returned soon after to conspire against Grimoald, but fled again to
France. When Grimoald confirmed a treaty with the
Franks, Perctarit prepared to flee to
England, but news of Grimoald's death reached him first.
In 671, he returned from exile and retook his realm, which was being ruled on behalf of Grimoald's son
Garibald. He made Catholicism the official religion , but did not recognise
papal authority. He made peace with the
Byzantines and associated Cunincpert with the throne in 678. He fought against the rebellion of
Alagis,
duke of Trent, and was assassinated in 688 by a
conspiracy. It was to be his only campaign, though he captured the duke, he pardoned and released him.
His daughter Wigilinda married Duke
Grimoald II of Benevento, son of
Romuald I of Benevento. His reign is not noted for its military accomplishments, but for his religious endowments. He built the churches of
Saint Agatha and
the Virgin (outside the walls) at Pavia. He was succeeded by his more warlike son, who was to fight to no avail against the man his father had caught and let go.