To the North
To the North
More of Granada
In July 1223, Bohemond attacked Sheikhdom of Malaga. Single-province country, no allies, no nothing. Their meager levies were brushed aside by Normans, their fortresses fell in short order and by March 1224, the Sheikdom was no more.
Guess how it turned out?
This now meant that Bohemond could create the Duchy of Granada and give it to Bohemond the Younger. And therefore, giving him his fair share of his lands, cutting him out of the succession game. Duchy of Granada- ain't so bad of a price too.
When Bohemond came of age in 1125, he became a fine knight and a decent intriguer. He was married to Valdrade, a daughter of Griselda- meaning his wife was also his cousin. Just, the Hauteville breeding program had resulted in the fact that the best prospects actually were other Hautevilles.
Duke Bohemond and his wife
Royal Matters
In March 1124, Bohemond started construction of a church in Agrigento. Built deep inlands, to the center of the island. Less than a year later, in January 1125, he did the same in Siracusa. Meaning that every holding in the Island of Sicily was fully built.
Also in March, Niketas of Jilat died of injuries received during battle. His domain, Duchy of Amman (though without the actual Duchy title), was divided between his twin daughters. As for his wife, Princess Giselle of Sicily, the grieving widow was married to an Italian nobleman Ottavio di Medici. For Giselle was still young and beautiful and her loins could bear numerous young rulers.
Niketas died, leaving behind two countesses. And a grieving widow, remarried a few days later
In July 1124, Griselda was hit by another set of peasant rebels. Bohemond now gathered his troops in Granada, marched out and beat the enemy forces in Murcia. Much more convenient then shipping over indeed.
Much more convenient to beat Iberian rebels now
In August 1124, Bohemond instituted the Convergent blood legacy, making certain that somehow, the pretty Hautevilles will become prettier and the smart ones even smarter and the strong ones even stronger.
More blood!
Hamelin, the Norman very own wicked priest, a lustful man with a sadistic trait, died at the age of 71. A learned man, a renowned physician and well, a man of exquisite tastes, seeing he was found dead, naked, with a whip in hand and some young nubile girls screaming in horror. He was a good theologian though and Bohemond missed him. Oswulf, his replacement, was without the vices of Hamelin, but also, with some of his own and he was much less of a man than Hamelin.
Hamelin, a decadent to the very end. And Oswulf. Only with half the sin!
Just a month later, in May 1125, Clemens IV was caught with his pants down. If even the head of faith cannot keep the vows of celibacy... Catholic world was in shock, but the Pope just pulled his pants up and continued Poping. Good thing the Papacy was for life. Well, good for him, not so good for the morale of good christians. Bohemond just shrugged.
Clemens, the Holy Sinner
In February 1126, Abelarda, a daughter of Bohemond and husband of Duke Michael Agyros of Kairouan, was caught in a bed with a man that most definitely was not Duke Michael. And with a child that was definitely not fathered by Michael. The Duke, furious, threw Abelarda to prison, without even considering who her father happened to be. Three days later, she perished in jail, and Bohemond lost his first child. Just, the King could not bring himself to grieve properly, for the reasons for her death seemed justified. One of her own children, getting caught in adultery... Bohemond did his best to console Mernissa, but in his heart, he cursed his daughter for her choices. Abelarda left behind one legitimate daughter, Richenda, and a bastard son, Hubert FitzAbelarda. This will create some problems in the future, for Duke Michal is sure to remarry and certainly, the future heirs will be born to House Agyros.
The unfortunate fate of Abelarda
Some better news as well- in June of 1126, Gaurfid died in the dungeons of Bohemond. Poor former Duke, who had spent about 30 of his years, meaning more then half of his sorry life, in the dungeons of Bohemond, died at the age of 52. Bohemond felt relief. Sometimes, God gives, sometimes, God takes.
Some good news as well
In July 1126, Norman culture discovered the communal government. Meaning more developed cities. There were still arched saddles, chronicle writing and burhs left in the early Medieval age.
Doing quite ok there
In August 1126, Bohemond created the Duchy of Alger and granted it to Count Robert. With this, Robert was no longer a vassal of Duke Aranald of Kroumerie, but a powerful(ish) Duke in his own right and therefore, vassal of Bohemond himself. When granting the title, Bohemond also noticed that Robert was having some peasant rebellion issues and being a good liege, he stomped the peasants out as well.
New Duke
Pulcheria, the Countess of Napoli, had ruled for nearly 50 years. She had been a spymistress of Bohemond for the most of the time as well. With her, the Sparteonos main line became extinct though, as the new count, Bartholomeus, was from House Lantpertidi, the house of former Dukes of Salerno. As for his new spymaster, Bohemond chose Osbern of Tripolitania, a truly devious man.
End of Spartenos dynasty, re-emergence of Lantperdidis
Tancred was the next son of Bohemond to come of age. In August 1127, the Duke of Salerno became 16, and grew up to be an astute intellectual. And not such a good knight, though his strength was quite legendary. He was the third son of Bohemond and Mernissa. He married two years later, to Egelina Hauteville-Tunis, a fair maiden indeed. And also, another Hauteville.
Tancred of Salerno
Amir al-Umara Gerald, the Crusader King of the Grand Emirate of Aragon, created his own house in February 1129. Taking hints from his brother, Duke Arnald of Kroumerie, who named his own House Arnaldid, Gerald created House Geraldid. His motto was a curious one though: “Pleasure over Valor”. Not a very Norman thing...
House Geraldid!
To the North
To this date, the Normans had been expanding into Muslim lands, leaving the Christians to their own devices. After all, the Muslims were a much easier target, with the reason of war being just that they did not believe in Jesus Christ. Christians needed some extra work and justifications. But sometimes, it is worth it.
The city of Pisa, a jewel of the Mediterranean, was a tempting target indeed. And Bohemond had managed to get a claim on it some years ago, showing that it was really Normans who founded the city and therefore, he as the leader of Normans should be in control. Some minor details, like the history of Pisa pre-dating Rollo for a couple of thousand of years, were dismissed as irrelevant.
Therefore, in August 1127, Bohemond declared war on the Peasant King Cecco of Italy, who was allied to Denmark and at war with the Holy Roman Empire. Once, nothing but a peasant leader, taking up arms because life was unbearable, he now controlled most of Northern Italy, while the Holy Roman Empire controlled Central Italy and Normans the south.
War on Cecco
So, in September, Normans gathering in Napoli marched north, through the Papal lands, until they arrived in Pisa. In December 1127, the city fell. Then, the Normans moved north, taking Genoa and several other provinces, until they reached Milano, the capital of Cecco. No enemy in sight yet.
Marching North
It was finally in February 1129, after the fall of Milano, when first enemy troops started to show up. First battle in the war was fought when Bohemond cornered a small enemy army, less then 1000 soldiers, in Viegvano, and annihilated them.
First battle, almost 2 years after the war begun
The Normans marched back to south again, for the main enemy armies seemed to be gathering around Pisa- and the Norman supplies were running low, so Bohemond could use some extra refillment. Then, during his march, he caught the Danish King and ally of Cecco, Bjorn Haraldsen of the House Estrid. The Danish troops had just landed, the Danish King was slightly in debt and Bohemond was much greater general then Bjorn. Much-much greater. In short, Danish sailed from Denmark, braved the Atlantic, through the Bay of Biscay, then across the Gibraltar and the Mediterranean, only to be completely destroyed by the Normans in the Battle of Parma, happening in March 1129.
King Bjorn, sailing across the Europe only to be trashed by the Normans
In May 1129, Bohemond became a peacemaker. Incidentally, this also meant that the war for Pisa ended- for the Normans had almost achieved a total victory. So, without further ado, Bohemond used his newly-found powers to convince Cecco that hey, it is ok to give up.
Peacemaker, just in time
For the first time, Normans had a holding North of Latinum. The Grand City of Pisa was given to Agafay, a lowborn with no House to call his own, but with shrewd enough stewardship skills.
Agafay of Pisa