List of Counts and Dukes of Apulia and Calabria
Encyclopedia
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
s and Duke
Duke
A duke or duchess is a member of the nobility, historically of highest rank below the monarch, and historically controlling a duchy...
s of Apulia
Apulia
Apulia is a region in Southern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the southeast, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south. Its most southern portion, known as Salento peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy. The region comprises , and...
and Calabria
Calabria
Calabria , in antiquity known as Bruttium, is a region in southern Italy, south of Naples, located at the "toe" of the Italian Peninsula. The capital city of Calabria is Catanzaro....
in Southern Italy from the 11th century to the 12th century. The county was originally a creation of Guaimar IV of Salerno
Guaimar IV of Salerno
Guaimar IV was Prince of Salerno , Duke of Amalfi , Duke of Gaeta , and Prince of Capua in Southern Italy over the period from 1027 to 1052. He was an important figure in the final phase of Byzantine authority in the Mezzogiorno and the commencement of Norman power...
, who was acclaimed Duke of Apulia and Calabria by the Normans
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
. He in turn created the Norman leader, William I Iron Arm
William Iron-Arm
William Iron-Arm may refer to:*William IV of Aquitaine, Duke of Aquitaine*William Iron Arm, Duke of Apulia...
, a member of the famous Hauteville
Tancred of Hauteville
Tancred of Hauteville was an 11th-century Norman petty lord about whom little is known. His historical importance comes entirely from the accomplishments of his sons and later descendants...
clan, count at Melfi
Melfi
Melfi is a town and comune in the Vulture area of the province of Potenza, in the Southern Italian region of Basilicata.-Geography:On a hill at the foot of Mount Vulture, Melfi is the most important town in Basilicata's Vulture, both as a tourist resort and economic centre.-Early history:Inhabited...
. Although never recognized by the emperor, William is usually considered the first count of Apulia and Calabria. In 1047, the Emperor Henry III took away Guaimar's ducal title. He christened William's brother and successor Drogo Dux et Magister Italiae comesque Normannorum totius Apuliae et Calabriae and made him a direct vassal of the emperor.
Counts of Apulia and Calabria
| Count | | Portrait | Birth | | Marriages | | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William I Iron Arm William Iron Arm William Iron Arm was a Norman adventurer, founder of the fortunes of the Hauteville family. One of twelve sons of Tancred of Hauteville, he journeyed to the Mezzogiorno with his younger brother Drogo in the first half of the eleventh century , in response to requests for help made by fellow... 1042–1046 |
before 1010 son of Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville was an 11th-century Norman petty lord about whom little is known. His historical importance comes entirely from the accomplishments of his sons and later descendants... and Muriella |
Guida of Sorrento | 1046 | |
| Drogo Drogo of Hauteville Drogo of Hauteville succeeded his brother, William Iron Arm, with whom he arrived in southern Italy c. 1035, as the leader of the Normans of Apulia.... 1046–1051 |
before 1010 son of Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville was an 11th-century Norman petty lord about whom little is known. His historical importance comes entirely from the accomplishments of his sons and later descendants... and Muriella |
Altrude of Salerno 1047 1 children |
Montiglio 10 August 1051 |
|
| Humphrey Humphrey of Hauteville Humphrey of Hauteville , surnamed Abagelard, was the Count of Apulia and Calabria from 1051 to his death.Humphrey was probably the youngest son of Tancred of Hauteville by his first wife Muriel. Some sources make Geoffrey and Serlo his younger brothers... 1051–1057 |
before 1010 son of Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville was an 11th-century Norman petty lord about whom little is known. His historical importance comes entirely from the accomplishments of his sons and later descendants... and Muriella |
Gaitelgrima Gaitelgrima Gaitelgrima is a Lombard feminine name. There are several notable Gaitelgrimas in history. The identities of these four women are often confused because they were all closely related to each other and to two men: Guaimar III of Salerno and his son, Guaimar IV, whose enumeration is often altered... 2 children |
August 1057 | |
| Robert Guiscard Robert Guiscard Robert d'Hauteville, known as Guiscard, Duke of Apulia and Calabria, from Latin Viscardus and Old French Viscart, often rendered the Resourceful, the Cunning, the Wily, the Fox, or the Weasel was a Norman adventurer conspicuous in the conquest of southern Italy and Sicily... 1057–1059 |
 |
1015 son of Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville was an 11th-century Norman petty lord about whom little is known. His historical importance comes entirely from the accomplishments of his sons and later descendants... and Fressenda |
Alberada of Buonalbergo Alberada of Buonalbergo Alberada of Buonalbergo was the first wife of Robert Guiscard, duke of Apulia , whom she married in 1051 or 1052, when he was still just a robber baron in Calabria.... 1051 2 children Sikelgaita Sikelgaita Sikelgaita was a Lombard princess, the daughter of Guaimar IV, Prince of Salerno, and second wife of Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia.... 1058 8 children |
1085 Fiskardo Fiskardo Fiskardo , lately, more commonly Fiscardo, is a village located about 54 km north of Argostoli and a district of the city of Erisos.... aged 70 |
Dukes of Apulia and Calabria
| Duke | | Portrait | Birth | | Marriages | | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Guiscard Robert Guiscard Robert d'Hauteville, known as Guiscard, Duke of Apulia and Calabria, from Latin Viscardus and Old French Viscart, often rendered the Resourceful, the Cunning, the Wily, the Fox, or the Weasel was a Norman adventurer conspicuous in the conquest of southern Italy and Sicily... 1059–1085 |
|
1015 son of Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville Tancred of Hauteville was an 11th-century Norman petty lord about whom little is known. His historical importance comes entirely from the accomplishments of his sons and later descendants... and Fressenda |
Alberada of Buonalbergo Alberada of Buonalbergo Alberada of Buonalbergo was the first wife of Robert Guiscard, duke of Apulia , whom she married in 1051 or 1052, when he was still just a robber baron in Calabria.... 1051 2 children Sikelgaita Sikelgaita Sikelgaita was a Lombard princess, the daughter of Guaimar IV, Prince of Salerno, and second wife of Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia.... 1058 8 children |
1085 Fiskardo Fiskardo Fiskardo , lately, more commonly Fiscardo, is a village located about 54 km north of Argostoli and a district of the city of Erisos.... aged 70 |
| Roger I Borsa Roger Borsa Roger Borsa was the Norman Duke of Apulia and effective ruler of southern Italy from 1085 until his death. He was the son of Robert Guiscard, the conqueror of southern Italy and Sicily; Roger was not as adept as his father, and most of his reign was spent in feudal anarchy.-Biography:Roger was the... 1085–1111 |
1060 son of Robert Guiscard Robert Guiscard Robert d'Hauteville, known as Guiscard, Duke of Apulia and Calabria, from Latin Viscardus and Old French Viscart, often rendered the Resourceful, the Cunning, the Wily, the Fox, or the Weasel was a Norman adventurer conspicuous in the conquest of southern Italy and Sicily... and Sikelgaita Sikelgaita Sikelgaita was a Lombard princess, the daughter of Guaimar IV, Prince of Salerno, and second wife of Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia.... |
Adela of Flanders Adela of Flanders Adela of Flanders , also known as Ailanda, was a mediaeval Danish Queen and Italian Duchess and regent, Queen Consort of King Canute IV of Denmark, and Duchess consort of Duke Roger Borsa of Apulia, and then minor regent of Apulia in 1111–1115 as mother and guardian of William II of Apulia... 1091 1 child |
22 February 1111 aged 51 |
|
| William II William II, Duke of Apulia William II was the duke of Apulia and Calabria from 1111 to 1127. He was the son and successor of Roger Borsa. His mother, Adela of Flanders, had previously been queen of Denmark, and he was a half-brother of Charles the Good.... 1111–1127 |
1095 son of Roger I Borsa Roger Borsa Roger Borsa was the Norman Duke of Apulia and effective ruler of southern Italy from 1085 until his death. He was the son of Robert Guiscard, the conqueror of southern Italy and Sicily; Roger was not as adept as his father, and most of his reign was spent in feudal anarchy.-Biography:Roger was the... and Adela of Flanders Adela of Flanders Adela of Flanders , also known as Ailanda, was a mediaeval Danish Queen and Italian Duchess and regent, Queen Consort of King Canute IV of Denmark, and Duchess consort of Duke Roger Borsa of Apulia, and then minor regent of Apulia in 1111–1115 as mother and guardian of William II of Apulia... |
1114 No children |
July 1127 aged 19 |
|
In 1127 the duchy passed to the count of Sicily. It was thereafter used intermittently as a title for the heir apparent.
| Duke | | Portrait | Birth | | Marriages | | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roger II Roger II of Sicily Roger II was King of Sicily, son of Roger I of Sicily and successor to his brother Simon. He began his rule as Count of Sicily in 1105, later became Duke of Apulia and Calabria , then King of Sicily... 1127–1134 |
 |
22 December 1095 Mileto Mileto Mileto is a comune in the Province of Vibo Valentia in the Italian region Calabria, located about 60 km southwest of Catanzaro and about 6 km south of Vibo Valentia.Mileto is the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Mileto.... son of 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 Adelaide del Vasto Adelaide del Vasto Adelaide del Vasto was the third wife of Roger I of Sicily and mother of Roger II of Sicily, as well as Queen consort of Jerusalem due to her later marriage to Baldwin I of Jerusalem, as his third wife.-Family:She was the daughter of Manfred del Vasto Adelaide del Vasto (Adelasia, Azalaïs) (c.... |
Elvira of Castile Elvira of Castile (Sicilian queen) Elvira of Castile was the first Queen of Sicily.- Background and upbringing :She was a daughter of Alfonso VI of Castile by his fourth queen, Isabella... 1117 6 children Sibyl of Burgundy Sibyl of Burgundy Sibylla of Burgundy was the second queen consort of Roger II of Sicily.-Family:She was a daughter of Hugh II, Duke of Burgundy and his wife Felicia-Matilda of Mayenne.... 1149 2 children Beatrix of Rethel Beatrix of Rethel Beatrice of Rethel was a French noblewoman, and the third Queen consort of King Roger II of Sicily.-Family:Beatrice was born sometime between 1130 and 1132, the eldest daughter and one of the nine children of Ithier, Count of Rethel and Beatrix of Namur... 1151 1 child |
26 February 1154 Palermo Palermo Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old... aged 59 |
| Roger III Roger III, Duke of Apulia Roger III was the Norman duke of Apulia from 1135. He was the eldest son of King Roger II of Sicily and Elvira of Castile.... 1134–1149 opposed by Ranulf Ranulf II, Count of Alife Ranulf II was the count of Alife and Caiazzo, and for a contested period, Duke of Apulia. He was a member of the Norman Drengot clan which ruled Aversa and Capua for most of the century between 1050 and 1150. As the third Ranulf in his family he is sometimes called Ranulf III... |
1118 son of Roger II Roger II of Sicily Roger II was King of Sicily, son of Roger I of Sicily and successor to his brother Simon. He began his rule as Count of Sicily in 1105, later became Duke of Apulia and Calabria , then King of Sicily... and Elvira of Castile Elvira of Castile (Sicilian queen) Elvira of Castile was the first Queen of Sicily.- Background and upbringing :She was a daughter of Alfonso VI of Castile by his fourth queen, Isabella... |
never married | 12 May 1148 aged 30 |
|
| Ranulf Ranulf II, Count of Alife Ranulf II was the count of Alife and Caiazzo, and for a contested period, Duke of Apulia. He was a member of the Norman Drengot clan which ruled Aversa and Capua for most of the century between 1050 and 1150. As the third Ranulf in his family he is sometimes called Ranulf III... 1137–1139 candidate of Pope Innocent II Pope Innocent II Pope Innocent II , born Gregorio Papareschi, was pope from 1130 to 1143, and was probably one of the clergy in personal attendance on the antipope Clement III .-Early years:... and the Emperor Lothair II |
son of Robert, Count of Caiazzo and Gaitelgrima Gaitelgrima Gaitelgrima is a Lombard feminine name. There are several notable Gaitelgrimas in history. The identities of these four women are often confused because they were all closely related to each other and to two men: Guaimar III of Salerno and his son, Guaimar IV, whose enumeration is often altered... |
Matilda | Troia 30 April 1139 |
|
| William III William I of Sicily William I , called the Bad or the Wicked, was the second king of Sicily, ruling from his father's death in 1154 to his own... 1149–1151 |
 |
1131 son of Roger II Roger II of Sicily Roger II was King of Sicily, son of Roger I of Sicily and successor to his brother Simon. He began his rule as Count of Sicily in 1105, later became Duke of Apulia and Calabria , then King of Sicily... and Elvira of Castile Elvira of Castile (Sicilian queen) Elvira of Castile was the first Queen of Sicily.- Background and upbringing :She was a daughter of Alfonso VI of Castile by his fourth queen, Isabella... |
Margaret of Navarre 4 children |
7 May 1166 Palermo Palermo Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old... aged 35 |
| Roger IV Roger IV, Duke of Apulia Roger IV was the eldest son of William I of Sicily and Margaret of Navarre. Twice in his short life he was the object of the barons' intent to replace his father as king... 1156–1161 |
1152 son of William I of Sicily William I of Sicily William I , called the Bad or the Wicked, was the second king of Sicily, ruling from his father's death in 1154 to his own... and Margaret of Navarre |
never married | 1161 Palermo Palermo Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old... aged 9 |
|
The title was left vacant after the death of Roger IV. It may have been revived for a short-lived son of William II
William II of Sicily
William II , called the Good, was king of Sicily from 1166 to 1189. William's character is very indistinct. Lacking in military enterprise, secluded and pleasure-loving, he seldom emerged from his palace life at Palermo. Yet his reign is marked by an ambitious foreign policy and a vigorous diplomacy...
. It was revived by King Tancred
Tancred of Sicily
Tancred was King of Sicily from 1189 to 1194. He was an illegitimate son of Roger III, Duke of Apulia, the eldest son of King Roger II, and of Emma, daughter of Achard II, Count of Lecce...
for his eldest son in 1189.
| Duke | | Portrait | Birth | | Marriages | | Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bohemond Bohemond, Duke of Apulia Bohemond or Boamund is the only recorded son of William II of Sicily and his wife Joanna of England.According to Robert of Torigni, in Normandy, he was born in 1182 and created duke of Apulia... 1181 |
1181 son of William II of Sicily William II of Sicily William II , called the Good, was king of Sicily from 1166 to 1189. William's character is very indistinct. Lacking in military enterprise, secluded and pleasure-loving, he seldom emerged from his palace life at Palermo. Yet his reign is marked by an ambitious foreign policy and a vigorous diplomacy... and Joanna of England Joan of England, Queen of Sicily Joan of England was the seventh child of Henry II of England and his queen consort, Eleanor of Aquitaine.Joan was a younger maternal half-sister of Marie de Champagne and Alix of France... |
never married | 1181 aged less than 1 |
|
| Roger V Roger III of Sicily Roger III was the son and heir of Tancred of Sicily by Sibylla of Acerra. He was made duke of Apulia, probably in 1189, at his father's succession.... 1189–1193 |
1175 son of Tancred of Sicily Tancred of Sicily Tancred was King of Sicily from 1189 to 1194. He was an illegitimate son of Roger III, Duke of Apulia, the eldest son of King Roger II, and of Emma, daughter of Achard II, Count of Lecce... and Sibylla of Acerra Sibylla of Acerra Sibylla of Acerra was the wife and queen consort of Tancred, Count of Lecce and King of Sicily . She was the regent in 1194 for her son William III of Sicily... |
Irene Angelina Irene Angelina Irene Angelina was the daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Isaac II Angelos by his first wife, perhaps named Herina, possibly a member of the Tornikes family.- Marriage and issue :... 1193 No children |
1193 aged 18 |
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Sources
- Chalandon, FerdinandFerdinand ChalandonFerdinand Chalandon was a French medievalist and Byzantinist.Chalandon’s work remains the most substantial study of the Normans in Italy and though the details of what he wrote a hundred years ago have in places been modified, it remains the single most important work available to historians.Being...
. Histoire de la domination normande en Italie et en Sicile. Paris: 1907. - Houben, Hubert (translated by Graham A. Loud and Diane Milburn). Roger II of Sicily: Ruler between East and West. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002.
- Matthew, Donald. The Norman Kingdom of Sicily. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992.
- Norwich, John JuliusJohn Julius NorwichJohn Julius Cooper, 2nd Viscount Norwich CVO — known as John Julius Norwich — is an English historian, travel writer and television personality.-Early life:...
. The Normans in the South 1016–1130. London: Longman, 1967. - Norwich, John Julius. The Kingdom in the Sun 1130–1194. London: Longman, 1970.
- Takayama, Hiroshi. The Administration of the Norman Kingdom of Sicily. BRILL, 1993.