Felicia of Sicily
Encyclopedia
Felicia of Sicily was a Queen Consort of Hungary.
Felicia was the eldest daughter of Count Roger I of Sicily
, and his second wife, Eremburga of Mortain. She is called traditionally Busilla, but this name is probably a misunderstanding of the ancient Italian
word "pucelle" meaning "virgin".
King Coloman of Hungary sent his envoys to her father's court to propose marriage to Felicia in 1096, but the Count of Sicily did not qualify the envoys illustrious enough and refused the offer. The second mission of the King of Hungary
was led by Bishop Hartvik of Győr, but the Count insisted on further negotiations. Finally, the envoys, led by Duke Álmos
, the king's younger brother, accompanied Felicia to Hungary, where she was married to King Coloman around 1097.
Felicia was followed by some Sicilian
courtiers, as well, e.g. the ancestors of the future gens Rátót (Olivér and Rátót) arrived to Hungary
in her escort.
Felicia was the eldest daughter of Count Roger I of Sicily
Roger I of Sicily
Roger I , called Bosso and the Great Count, was the Norman Count of Sicily from 1071 to 1101. He was the last great leader of the Norman conquest of southern Italy.-Conquest of Calabria and Sicily:...
, and his second wife, Eremburga of Mortain. She is called traditionally Busilla, but this name is probably a misunderstanding of the ancient Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
word "pucelle" meaning "virgin".
King Coloman of Hungary sent his envoys to her father's court to propose marriage to Felicia in 1096, but the Count of Sicily did not qualify the envoys illustrious enough and refused the offer. The second mission of the King of Hungary
King of Hungary
The King of Hungary was the head of state of the Kingdom of Hungary from 1000 to 1918.The style of title "Apostolic King" was confirmed by Pope Clement XIII in 1758 and used afterwards by all the Kings of Hungary, so after this date the kings are referred to as "Apostolic King of...
was led by Bishop Hartvik of Győr, but the Count insisted on further negotiations. Finally, the envoys, led by Duke Álmos
Prince Álmos
Álmos was a Hungarian prince, the son of King Géza I of Hungary, brother of King Kálmán. He held several governmental posts in the Kingdom of Hungary....
, the king's younger brother, accompanied Felicia to Hungary, where she was married to King Coloman around 1097.
Felicia was followed by some Sicilian
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
courtiers, as well, e.g. the ancestors of the future gens Rátót (Olivér and Rátót) arrived to Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
in her escort.
Marriage and children
# c. 1097: King Coloman of Hungary (c. 1070 – 3 February 1116)- Sophia (before 1101 – ?), wife of a Hungarian noble
- King Stephen II of HungaryStephen II of HungaryStephen II , King of Hungary and Croatia, ruled from 1116 until 1131. He was crowned as a child during his father's lifetime who wanted to ensure Stephen's succession against his brother, Duke Álmos. Stephen's reign was characterized by frequent struggles with neighbouring countries...
(1101 – 1 March 1131) - Ladislaus (?)
Sources
- Soltész, István: Árpád-házi királynék (Gabo, 1999)
- Kristó, Gyula - Makk, Ferenc: Az Árpád-ház uralkodói (IPC Könyvek, 1996)