Cunincpert 1 was the son of the Lombard king Perctarit 1 and Rodelinda 1: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. IV 51, V 33. Brother of Wigilinda 1: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 2. Husband of Hermelinda 1 (see below). Father of Liutpert 1: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 17. His grandfather was Aripert I (Charibert 1).

He was still young ("parvulum filium") when his father fled for refuge among the Avars after the murder of Godepert 1 and the accession of Grimoald 3 (in c. 662); he and his mother were left behind in Milan, and Grimoald 3 exiled them both to Beneventum: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. IV 51. They apparently remained there until the return of Perctarit 1 to the throne in 671 or 672; Perctarit 1 immediately summoned his wife and son, Rodelinda 1 and Cunincpert 1, from Beneventum to join him at Ticinum: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 33.

In the eighth year of his father's reign (678/679) Perctarit 1 associated his son Cunincpert 1 with himself on the throne, and they ruled together for ten years: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 35. He was a friend of Alahis 1, who rebelled against Perctarit 1 and whose uneasy reconciliation with the king was due to Cunincpert 1; it led to accusations by Perctarit 1 that Cunincpert 1 was endangering his own safety by supporting Alahis 1: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 36. He became sole ruler on his father's death (in 688); he married a Saxon princess, Hermelinda 1: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 37. He was driven from his throne for a time by Alahis 1 but recovered it after Alahis 1's supporters, Aldo 1 and Grauso 1, deserted him: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. V 38-41, and see also Anonymus 317. He welcomed the Saxon king Cedoal (Ceadwalla 1) on his journey to Rome: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 15.

He died after reigning alone for twelve years (in 700) and was buried in the basilica of the Saviour built by his grandfather (Charibert 1); he was succeeded by his infant son, Liutpert 1, to whom he appointed Ansprand 1 as adviser: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 17. He is described as a very popular ruler ("cunctis amabillimus princeps"); said to have been elegant, distinguished by his goodness and by his bravery in battle ("vir elegans et omni bonitate conspicuus audaxque bellator") (the last quality perhaps stressed because he had persistently challenged Alahis 1, see above, to single combat, in vain): Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 17.

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