From Employee to Employer
The fair September winds were gently filling the sails of an enormous fleet, setting sail from Normandy. Thousands of Normans and their allies, led by Duke Gilleaume the Bastard of Normandy, were on board these ships, crossing the channel in order to settle the dispute over an English crown in the most ancient way- the winner being who kicks most butt. The former ruler, Edward the Confessor, had died in the beginning of the year without an heir and his most powerful vassal, Harald Godwinson, took the throne. Juicy morsel of a throne, for besides Guilleaume, King of Norway, Harald Hardrada, claimed the throne also to himself. All sides had been frantically gathering armies for the year and now, Harald was already in England, seeking out Harold, trying to relieve the man from his throne and preferably, also from his head. Guillaume joining the fun made things even more complicated. It was obvious that whoever won, England was in for some truly interesting and devastating times.
Robert just shrugged. Of course, he wished his former liege well, but the war over the crown of England was just too distant for it to be of any consequence or of interest to him. If Guillaume won, perhaps it would mean titles to those of his kin who remained. But it mattered little. Be it Normans, Norwegians or Saxons... Robert tried to find some emotions inside him concerning the Great Invasion, but found only indifference. He thought back of Normandy and found some fond childhood memories. But a realization hit him- it was not home. No more. Now, his home was Mezzogiorno or Southern Italy. In all her glory, in all her intrigues and wars. In all her pleasant weather and plentiful wine. Her fertile lands and busy people. He loved his new home.
Most importantly though- in Normandy, he would have been a landless sixth son of a minor noble. It might be worth mentioning that sixth son of twelve, and of total sixteen. Wives of Tancred, father of Robert de Hauteville, were more time pregnant then they were not. It also meant that Robert was slightly more important than an average peasant, but not by much. Here, he was not just someone important. Here, he was a Duke. The most powerful man in Mezzogiorno. Of course, Robert did not turn into a Duke automatically the moment his boots entered the Italian soil. It needed a lot of effort. The opportunity was there though, and he was a man who saw the opportunity and grabbed it.
It is said that Tancred de Hauteville had one hobby. Can you guess what it was?
The first arrival of Normans in Mezzogiorno is shrouded in legends. It was 75 years ago, and Robert could not tell no more if it was truth or a legend. Or a legend with some truth in it. In short, the grandfather of Gisulf II, the current Duke of Salerno (and brother-in-law of Robert, incidentally), Guiamar III, the back then Duke of Salerno, was in a bind. The Muslim pirates had came collecting their annual tribute for pirating a lot less. Guiamar III was in the process of collecting the said tribute, because planning is for other people, apparently. And Muslims were spending waiting time pirating and looting. But Guiamar III had also some Norman guests, who were returning from pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The Normans offered a better solution- they killed the pirates, took their loot and made sure Guiamar doesn’t have to pay the tribute ever again. Guiamar, impressed by their military prowess, asked the Normans to stay, but they did not. They offered to tell other Normans about his offer though- and that they did. Here is how the Normans arrived. Most likely.
Other Normans took up their call. Unfortunately for the locals, the Normans were indeed known for their military prowess. But not only- they were also known for their guile. And Mezzogiorno at that time was a place of conflicts. Byzantines, local Lombards, Italians, Muslims in Sicily, Pope in Rome and Holy Roman Empire were all at each other's throats. Good place for mercenaries, and that’s what Normans were. In the beginning. Sometimes though, mercenaries play a different game. The change sides, so that one does not get too strong. They do their best to keep the conflict flowing and ensure that their gold and influence keeps on growing as well. That’s what the Normans did. Prime example- Dregnots, the first Norman family to heed the call for mercenaries, are now the Counts of Capua. A transition that did not happen peacefully.
The Hauteville brothers Willam and Drogo arrived in Italy at around 1035. There, they partook the Byzantine invasion of Sicily in 1038. Just two years later, they participated in a Lombard revolt against the Byzantines that soon turned out to be a Norman-led Lombard revolt against Byzantines. A successful revolt, with the Normans gaining lands around Melfi as a fief. William, the first Count of Apulia and Calabria, as he titled himself, died in 1046. The next brother, Drogo, took over as the head of Hautevilles in Italy.
The next year, Robert arrived in Mezzogiorno. Robert chuckled at the thought. He had left Normandy a year earlier, with a small retinue of five riders and thirty infantry. A landless son, going out to the world, to find his fortune. He found some on the way, actually. From the coffers of merchants, given a choice between their coffers and their lives and their coffers. More chose the first option. Anyway, Robert arrived with his coffers more full and his merry band of roving men a bit bolstered.
At first, Robert joined Padulf of Capua, for the ruler promised him a castle and a hand of his daughter. Then, Robert left, for Padulf was not very keen on keeping his promise. In 1048, Drogo, the current Hauteville head, gave him a castle in recently conquered Calabria instead. There, he also married, with another Norman noble, Alberada. Who brought 200 knights as a dowry. Something Robert really appreciated. He had two children with Alberada. Emma and Bohemond.
Meanwhile, in 1051, Drogo was assassinated by the Byzantines. The thought still turned Robert into rage, as he vowed revenge on the treacherous Greeks. He liked Drogo. He really did. The next in line, Humphrey de Hauteville, took over and his first order of business was revenge on the direct guilty party. He besieged the castle where Drogo was killed and the guilty party within did not die an easy death. But the Byzantines still remained- though not it Italy no more, Robert noted with a grin.
Meanwhile, Normans had been growing their lands steadily and that really alarmed their former employers, the Lombards. The Pope, Leo IX, was the one who actually started the coalition against the Normans. He asked for support of the Holy Roman Emperor, but got meager 700 soldiers from Swabia. But all the Mezziogiorno’s Lombard and Italian rulers, apart from Salerno, joined the fun. As for Normans, Dregnots joined the Hautevilles- though not always on friendliest terms, both understood that if Pope has their way, it will be the end of both Norman families.
The Battle of Civitate took place on 18th June 1053. It was around 6000 of Papal Coalition against 3000 Normans. This was also a place where Robert earned his fame, glory and honor. He fought ferociously, helping his brother Humphrey break the Swabian center, bringing about a total victory against the Pope. Incidentally, the Pope fled to the city of Civitate, and Normans promptly put the city under siege. Unwilling to see their city ravaged by the Normans, the citizens soon kicked the Pope out, and for the next 10 month, Leo IX spent as the Norman prisoner- until the terms of peace were agreed upon.
Result of Citivate was simple- Normans were now nearly unstoppable. Dropping all pretense, the Lombard holdings fell one by one to former mercenaries, now conquerors. Mezzogiorno was becoming more Norman with each small siege, each battle.
When Humphrey died in 1056, it was Robert who took over. Logical choice. War hero, the next oldest brother who happened to be in Mezzogiorno and also, the most powerful Hauteville around. Robert had had a truly busy decade in Italy. And the next one was going to be even busier. Robert chuckled. All the rumors of him sidestepping Humphrey’s children were... well, mostly true. They did get a county though. More than he had a decade ago.
Meanwhile, Pope Leo IX, after being released from Norman captivity, died soon thereafter in Rome. Succeeded by Victor II, then, in the following year, succeeded by Stephen IX and once again, in the following year, succeeded by Nicholas II. The new pope had a diametrically opposite view of Normans. Compared to Leo IX at least. He recognized that Normans are now a power of Mezzogiorno and accepted it- and saw them as a useful tool in taking Sicily from the Muslims.
So, Nicholas II made him a Duke. A Duke of Apulia, Calabria and as a down payment, the Pope also added “and Sicily” to the end. This also meant that Robert became a vassal of the Holy See. The best vassalization contract ever, as Robert usually commented. Vassal’s duties to liege: none. Liege’s power over the vassal: none. But at least, Nicholas sleeps a bit better in Rome. Hopefully. And Robert was now a bona fide Duke.
Robert becomes a Duke
This was not all Nicholas did though. In 1058, he strengthened the canonical law of consanguinity. Meaning, before 1058 it was kind of ok to marry your cousin. After that, no more cousins. Or aunts or uncles. Unfortunately, Robert and Alberada were just that- cousins. Robert had to divorce his wife for a decade. He did so with a heavy heart- and even more surprisingly, with no hard feelings between both parties. But there is something good in everything, even in a Papal bull that says “no cousins”. Robert had to marry again- and since he has moved up in the world, so has grown his attractiveness. A decade ago, as a simple adventurer, just arrived in Mezzogiorno, Robert could only dream of Sichelgaita, daughter of the Duke of Salerno back then, Guaimar IV (and sister of the current Duke, Gisulf II). Well, a dream he better not had, for Sichelgaita was just 6 at the time. But now, the girl has grown up. Proving to be as much of a warrior and leader of men as Rober did. And a suitable token to form an alliance between Normans and the last Lombards. Also, a surprisingly happy marriage between already aging Robert and the young Lombard princess.
The young Lombardian princess, made entirely of sins
Another take on Sichelgaita. Most likely on the right.
Meanwhile, Robert was busy. Taking the remaining Byzantine and Lombard holdings in Calabria. Solidifying his power over both Apulia and Calabria. Being an awesome new Duke. And most importantly, invading Messina in Sicily with his brother Roger in 1061. Successfully. Making Robert Duke of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily not only in name. Well, more like Duke of Apulia, Calabria and 1/6th of Sicily. A good start nevertheless.
The forces of Guillaume the Bastard crossed the English Channel, braving the autumn grayness of the hostile seas, only to sail into more hostile land, filled with angry Saxons and uncertainty, only so their liege could now call himself a King of England. At the same time, Robert leaned to parapets of the castle Scilla, Calabria. Enjoying the warm Italian September sun, while gazing over the Strait of Messina.
Sixth son of the minior lord in Normandy. No real prospects for his life. Robbery and rope. Or service under some other lord, until he grew too old to be useful. It was certain that if he were still alive, he would be on one of these ships. Hoping to live through the battle- and perhaps distinguish himself enough to be granted a small fief of his own. Well, if Guillaume would win, of course.
Robert felt the warmth of the sun. He had done well. Surprisingly well. The most powerful man in Mezzogiorno. He did not just have money. He had his own money. He pulled a coin from his pouch and looked at his own portrait, minted to the golden coin. He smiled, and slipped the coin back to the pouch. Then, he looked up again. Gazing at the island of Sicily. He had done much. But he was not done yet. Far from it.
Some people have money. While some people have money with their face on it. Ducal coin of Apulia, with portrait of Robert