Perctarit 1 was the son of Aripert (Charibert 1), brother of Godepert 1; husband of Rodelinda 1 and father of Cunincpert 1; Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. IV 51, V 33-37. He also had a sister, Anonyma 48. Father of Wigilinda 1 and Cunincpert 1: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 2. When their father died (in 661) he and his brother succeeded to the Lombard kingdom, Perctarit 1 with his capital in Milan, Godepert 1 in Ticinum; they began to endanger the kingdom with their quarrels and attacks on one another's territory; after Godepert 1 was overthrown by Grimoald 3, Perctarit 1 fled for refuge to the khagan of the Avars (Anonymus 308), leaving behind his wife and son: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. IV 51, cf. V 2 (he fled to the khagan in Scythia - "Scithiam appetisse et aput cacanum demorari"). Forced to leave when Grimoald 3 threatened the khagan, he returned to Lodi in Italy to throw himself on Grimoald 3's mercy; after exchanging pledges of loyalty, they were reconciled and Perctarit 1 was given ample accommodation and supplies in Ticinum; later allegations (supposedly false) were made against him and Grimoald 3 plotted his death, but with the aid of loyal attendants (see Unulfos 1, Anonymus 310 and Anonymus 311) he escaped and made his way via Asti and Turin to the kingdom of the Franks: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 2. Not feeling secure even there from the power of Grimoald 3 (see Dagibert 1), he prepared to flee across to Britain for refuge with the king of the Saxons: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 32. Grimoald 3 died at this point and Perctarit 1 abandoned his journey and returned to Italy, to be welcomed by the Lombards and proclaimed king at Ticinum after expelling Garibald 2; he immediately recalled his wife and son, Rodelinda 1 and Cunincpert 1, from Beneventum: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 33. He built a monastery dedicated to St Agatha at Ticinum close to the place where he had earlier escaped: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 34. He reigned alone for seven years and then associated his son Cunincpert 1 with him as king; together they reigned for ten years: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 35. He was restored as king in 671 or 672, associated Cunincpert 1 with him in 678/679 and died in 688; cf. Grumel, Chronologie, p. 416. He died after reigning for eighteen years and was buried in the Basilica of the Saviour built by his father: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 37. Described as a pious catholic, just and generous to the poor: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 33. He was also handsome and well built, mild and gentle ("statura decens, corpore pleno, mitis per omnia et suavis"): Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 37.

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