 In 774, Charlemagne of the Franks invaded and conquered the Lombard kingdom.In the south of the peninsula, the Duchy of Benevento remained independent of Frankish dominion, however.During the period of Carolingian strength, Charlemagne's descendants governed the north of Italy in relative peace, except for the brief period of the rebellion of Bernard and the constant raids from the Slavs to the east and the Saracens to the south.