Rosamunda

Rosamunda is a figure from Germanic legend, most famously known from the story of the Lombard king Alboin. According to the legend, Alboin conquered the Gepids and killed their king, Cunimund. He then took Cunimund's daughter, Rosamunda, as his wife and concubine. The most dramatic part of the tale recounts how Alboin forced Rosamunda to drink wine from a goblet made from her father's skull. This act is said to have fueled her desire for revenge.

Rosamunda conspired with Helmichis, a bodyguard of Alboin, to assassinate the king. They succeeded, and after Alboin's death, Rosamunda and Helmichis fled together, reportedly intending to marry and rule. However, their reign was short-lived. Different versions of the legend state that either Rosamunda was killed by Helmichis, or that they both died shortly after Alboin, perhaps due to a shipwreck or divine retribution. The story of Rosamunda has been a subject of various artistic interpretations over the centuries, appearing in literature, opera, and painting, often focusing on themes of vengeance, power, and betrayal.