Hello everyone! During my summer holidays (which are over tomorrow sadly enough) I not only played on my present megacampaign but also started another game as Duchy of Apulia. Around the same time I was reading through queenimperial's The Medieval History of England with great joy. It is one of the, if not the best history-book CK-AAR around and I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes history-book AARs. Anyway inspired by the unique and fascinating layout I began writing short literary summaries on how my game developed just for myself and the fun of writing it. By now I have got through three reigns and thought I might as well post it hear. Hopefully it give pleasure to one or two people just like I enjoyed writing it.
However since this is the work of a fairly leisurely free time activity and I am still working on my megacampaign don't expect regular updates. It might be a while before I am in the mood and find time to write on.
Robert Guiscard was one of the most awe inspiring figures of his age. He was the sixth son of Tancred of Hautville, a minor noble in Normandy. In 1047 he left Normandy to join the Normans who where fighting against the Byzantine Empire in Southern Italy with his brothers Drogo and Humphrey as their leaders. According to legend he arrived with only five riders and 30 warriors on foot and quickly became the head of a local robber band. Since there was no land available to the Normans to grant to Robert, he fought in a war against Gaimar IV of Salerno for Pandulf IV of Capua. The next year, 1048, Robert however left Pandulf, probably because he had not kept his promise of giving Robert his daughters hand in marriage and a few castles. Robert now turned to his brother Drogo, asking him for a fief and was granted the fortress Scribla in Apulia. However, still dissatisfied, Robert looked for further chances to expand his power. In 1050 he married the daughter of a local noble Alberada of Buonbalbergo, who as her dowry supplied him with 200 warriors. The marriage was a happy one and both Robert and Alberanda remained on good terms with each other even after the marriage had been declared invalid by the pope due to the fact that both were too closely related to each other.
In 1053 Robert finally had a chance to show his worth. The Lombards had turned on the Normans and allied themselves with the pope. The united troops of the Lombards and the pope, aided by some Lothringian and Swabian troops, some 6,000 men confronted the Normans at the Battle of Civitate. The Normans only numbered 3,500 men but where mostly mounted. The centre was commanded by Humphrey while Robert commanded the left wing. Although it was the right wing under Richard of Aversa that won the battle, Robert distinguished himself through his great courage and together with his men saved Humphreys centre from great peril more than once. Some years later in 1057 Robert was rewarded for these deeds by being granted the title Count of Apulia. From this base of operation Robert conquered the whole of Apulia. The following year, after his separation from Alberada and just after the birth of his son Bohemond, Robert married Sichelgaita, the sister of Gisulf II, the successor of Gaimar IV of Salerno. Robert had been very worried about what sort of reception would await him. After all he had fought Gisulfs father and the Norman ambitions in Italy had all but destroyed Lombard rule in the area. However when he entered the city with 80 knights in splendid armour escorting him and baring his banner in front of him he was received with great warmness from the people who had turned up in their thousands to see the great foreign warrior. When Robert reached the royal palace he dismounted and was escorted up the majestic stairways to the entrance of the building where Gisulf awaited him. Before even hesitating for a second the Prince of Salerno embraced Robert warmly and there was much rejoicing among the people of the town as well as among Roberts’s followers. As strange as this might seem at first all of this had quite logical reasons. The people of Salerno where not so much celebrating the Robert but rather the peace and stability which they hoped would spring from this matrimonial union. The abundant supply of wine for the populace did the rest to wash away all animosity towards the foreigner. As for Gisulf, he was clever enough to realize that he could not afford to have the Normans, the rising power in Southern Italy, as enemies. On the contrary he hoped to win them for a joint war against Pandulf V of Capua who was behind the assassination of his father Gaimer IV last year. The next day the marriage itself took place in the Church of St. George, an appropriate place for such a warlike noble as Robert. It was followed by a week of feasting with wine flowing like water. Gisulf and Robert went hunting together and even took part in a jousting tournament where in the end they settled for draw both praising the others valour and talent. Before the two sides parted Robert vowed to protect Salernos independence and destroy two Norman castles on the border to it. But what did Robert gain through the marriage? Nothing directly, but quite a deal indirectly. The Normans had established themselves as the dominant power in southern Italy and Robert was more and more growing into the role of their leader. Nevertheless there where still factions who opposed Norman rule. Salerno was the richest and most formidable but there where others as well. Pandulf V of Capua for example had yet resisted all Norman attempts to seize his small realm and further west the city of Naples under a Greek Duke also defied the Normans. Alone for themselves these small states where no threat to the Normans but if they where to unite, perhaps even with papal backing they could field a formidable force. Of course this was not likely. There was a long standing rivalry between Capua and Salerno which had intensified since the murder of Gaimar IV. Naples was isolated since it was both Greek and Orthodox. Nevertheless Robert was on the safe side by drawing the strongest non-Norman lord in Southern Italy closer towards him. And who knows if Gisulf where to die without an heir Robert might win Salerno without a drop of blood being spilt.
In 1059 the papacy, looking for allies in an upcoming conflict with the Empire, recognized the Norman conquests in Italy and declared Robert “Duke of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily”. Over the next two years Robert was occupied with conquering the remains of Byzantine Italy in Calabria. Resistance was close to non-existent and only Tarentum resisted and had to be besieged for nearly half a year. By 1060 Robert was ready to launch his first step into Sicily. His attempt to take Messina by storm however was repulsed by the Saracen garrison and Robert recalled to beat off a Byzantine expeditionary force sent by Emperor Constantine X to retake Italy, which he destroyed with ease. In 1061 another attempt was made together with Roberts’s brother Roger and this time the attack was successful. Messina had been abandoned by the Arabs and was now fortified and granted to Roger as fiefdom. Before advancing further Robert allied himself with Ibn al-Halwas, a local Emir, against the other Arabs of Sicily. Although the Arabs where defeated in each battle, the Normans and their allies where unable to conquer the vital strongholds and had to retreat. Roberts’s dream of ruling Sicily would remain unfulfilled. The same year Roberts’s second son Roger Borsa was born.
Over the next years Robert busied himself with organizing his realm and destroying the last Byzantine and Lombard resistance. In 1062 Robert was also forced to alter his last will since the pope demanded that Bohemond, since he had been born in an invalid marriage, should be disinheritied. In 1067 Robert finally reached an agreement with the Byzantines. The Byzantines offered to recognize as Duke, ally of the empire and “Marshal of the Empire”, a post which brought Robert the incredible salary of 200 gold pounds a year! Robert was now free to conquer the last places in Italy that still resisted him. These included the Lombard principalities of Capua and Salerno and the city of Naples. Capua was taken in a brief and successful joint campaign with his brother-in-law Gisulf II of Salerno, who took especial delight in the public execution of Pandulf V following his defeat. The city itself was added to the growing domain of Duke Robert.
Robert remained in Capua for the remaining year and busied himself both with hunting and affairs of the state. For example he gave great financial and military support to a papal missionary delegation whose aim it was to convert the Orthodox Greeks in Southern Italy. In the end the missionaries managed to convert most of the population of the city of Bari and the surrounding country. After having celebrated Christmas with his wife and court new priorities began to emerge in the Dukes mind. First of all Robert was determined to seize Naples the following year. Secondly, and that was a thought which he kept secret from his wife for good reasons, he grew determined to reinstate Bohemond, by now a boy of ten years, into his old rights. Before he set out for his campaign in February 1068 Robert sent word to Roger Wellsley, his chamberlain, to make the necessary preparations with all necessary discretion.
But for the moment family affairs had to wait. Robert turned up in front of Naples with a host of 2,500 men on February 28th. The Duke of Naples Sergios VI made several sallies but was unable to breach the Norman siege. But in spite of holding out against all Greek attacks, things where beginning to look bleak for the Normans as the year dragged on. An outbreak of Malaria killed hundreds of soldiers and by July only 800 where left in fighting conditions. It looked as if the siege would have to be lifted and Naples would be the first city to defy Robert Guiscard, the men who had so far conquered all who stood between him and the rule of all Southern Italy. Just now as all hope seemed to fail a new opportunity arose. A deserter from the city garrison promised to show the Normans a way into the city through the ancient Roman water system if he would be granted a share of the town’s treasury. Robert at once seized the opportunity. On the night of the 11th of July he led some 60 men into the city via the secret entrance and fought his way to the main citygate. As the Normans advanced they set fire to the houses they passed, creating panic and confusion among the Greeks. The gate was quickly taken and now the whole Norman army was ready to descend upon the city. Destroying, looting and killing the Norman horde annihilated all resistance and by 11 pm. Robert was looking down from the ducal palace, conquered only 15 minutes ago, onto the burning city. It was in this moment of glory and victory, with a song about the destruction of Troy on his lips as legend has it, that Robert was pierced from behind by a Neapolitan soldier who had been believed to be dead. This wounded man managed with his last breath to strike his dagger right through the Dukes chest before being killed by a Norman nearby. Robert was immediately carried away and the army’s surgeons and priests called together. To the shock of all his soldiers the Duke was beyond saving and died just as the sun began to set on the 12th of July 1068 at 6 am.
The death of Robert Guiscard was a terrible blow to all Normans. Like no other he had been the driving spirit of the conquest and he was respected for his valour and virtue as much as for his kindness towards his soldiers. His strong rule had provided to unity and stability the Normans had so desperately needed. Not surprisingly the whole Norman nobility showed up in Naples to escort the deceased to his last resting place. A grand procession, including no fewer than 8 counts and 3,500 soldiers, made its way from Naples to Benevento. There, after mourning ceremonies that lasted three days, the Duke was buried in the Church of our Lady on the 23rd of August. All present that day somehow understood that an age had come to an end.
However since this is the work of a fairly leisurely free time activity and I am still working on my megacampaign don't expect regular updates. It might be a while before I am in the mood and find time to write on.
Robert Guiscard
Duke of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily
1059-1068
Born: Normandy, 1020; Died: Naples 1068; Buried: Church of our Lady Benevento
Married: (1) 1050, Apulia (?): Alberada of Buonalbergo : 1 Child; (2) 1058, St. Georges Church Salerno: Sichelgaita of Salerno, sister of Prince Gisulf II of Salerno: 3 Children
Titles: Duke of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily 1059, Count of Apulia 1057
Duke of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily
1059-1068
Born: Normandy, 1020; Died: Naples 1068; Buried: Church of our Lady Benevento
Married: (1) 1050, Apulia (?): Alberada of Buonalbergo : 1 Child; (2) 1058, St. Georges Church Salerno: Sichelgaita of Salerno, sister of Prince Gisulf II of Salerno: 3 Children
Titles: Duke of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily 1059, Count of Apulia 1057
Robert Guiscard was one of the most awe inspiring figures of his age. He was the sixth son of Tancred of Hautville, a minor noble in Normandy. In 1047 he left Normandy to join the Normans who where fighting against the Byzantine Empire in Southern Italy with his brothers Drogo and Humphrey as their leaders. According to legend he arrived with only five riders and 30 warriors on foot and quickly became the head of a local robber band. Since there was no land available to the Normans to grant to Robert, he fought in a war against Gaimar IV of Salerno for Pandulf IV of Capua. The next year, 1048, Robert however left Pandulf, probably because he had not kept his promise of giving Robert his daughters hand in marriage and a few castles. Robert now turned to his brother Drogo, asking him for a fief and was granted the fortress Scribla in Apulia. However, still dissatisfied, Robert looked for further chances to expand his power. In 1050 he married the daughter of a local noble Alberada of Buonbalbergo, who as her dowry supplied him with 200 warriors. The marriage was a happy one and both Robert and Alberanda remained on good terms with each other even after the marriage had been declared invalid by the pope due to the fact that both were too closely related to each other.
In 1053 Robert finally had a chance to show his worth. The Lombards had turned on the Normans and allied themselves with the pope. The united troops of the Lombards and the pope, aided by some Lothringian and Swabian troops, some 6,000 men confronted the Normans at the Battle of Civitate. The Normans only numbered 3,500 men but where mostly mounted. The centre was commanded by Humphrey while Robert commanded the left wing. Although it was the right wing under Richard of Aversa that won the battle, Robert distinguished himself through his great courage and together with his men saved Humphreys centre from great peril more than once. Some years later in 1057 Robert was rewarded for these deeds by being granted the title Count of Apulia. From this base of operation Robert conquered the whole of Apulia. The following year, after his separation from Alberada and just after the birth of his son Bohemond, Robert married Sichelgaita, the sister of Gisulf II, the successor of Gaimar IV of Salerno. Robert had been very worried about what sort of reception would await him. After all he had fought Gisulfs father and the Norman ambitions in Italy had all but destroyed Lombard rule in the area. However when he entered the city with 80 knights in splendid armour escorting him and baring his banner in front of him he was received with great warmness from the people who had turned up in their thousands to see the great foreign warrior. When Robert reached the royal palace he dismounted and was escorted up the majestic stairways to the entrance of the building where Gisulf awaited him. Before even hesitating for a second the Prince of Salerno embraced Robert warmly and there was much rejoicing among the people of the town as well as among Roberts’s followers. As strange as this might seem at first all of this had quite logical reasons. The people of Salerno where not so much celebrating the Robert but rather the peace and stability which they hoped would spring from this matrimonial union. The abundant supply of wine for the populace did the rest to wash away all animosity towards the foreigner. As for Gisulf, he was clever enough to realize that he could not afford to have the Normans, the rising power in Southern Italy, as enemies. On the contrary he hoped to win them for a joint war against Pandulf V of Capua who was behind the assassination of his father Gaimer IV last year. The next day the marriage itself took place in the Church of St. George, an appropriate place for such a warlike noble as Robert. It was followed by a week of feasting with wine flowing like water. Gisulf and Robert went hunting together and even took part in a jousting tournament where in the end they settled for draw both praising the others valour and talent. Before the two sides parted Robert vowed to protect Salernos independence and destroy two Norman castles on the border to it. But what did Robert gain through the marriage? Nothing directly, but quite a deal indirectly. The Normans had established themselves as the dominant power in southern Italy and Robert was more and more growing into the role of their leader. Nevertheless there where still factions who opposed Norman rule. Salerno was the richest and most formidable but there where others as well. Pandulf V of Capua for example had yet resisted all Norman attempts to seize his small realm and further west the city of Naples under a Greek Duke also defied the Normans. Alone for themselves these small states where no threat to the Normans but if they where to unite, perhaps even with papal backing they could field a formidable force. Of course this was not likely. There was a long standing rivalry between Capua and Salerno which had intensified since the murder of Gaimar IV. Naples was isolated since it was both Greek and Orthodox. Nevertheless Robert was on the safe side by drawing the strongest non-Norman lord in Southern Italy closer towards him. And who knows if Gisulf where to die without an heir Robert might win Salerno without a drop of blood being spilt.
In 1059 the papacy, looking for allies in an upcoming conflict with the Empire, recognized the Norman conquests in Italy and declared Robert “Duke of Apulia, Calabria and Sicily”. Over the next two years Robert was occupied with conquering the remains of Byzantine Italy in Calabria. Resistance was close to non-existent and only Tarentum resisted and had to be besieged for nearly half a year. By 1060 Robert was ready to launch his first step into Sicily. His attempt to take Messina by storm however was repulsed by the Saracen garrison and Robert recalled to beat off a Byzantine expeditionary force sent by Emperor Constantine X to retake Italy, which he destroyed with ease. In 1061 another attempt was made together with Roberts’s brother Roger and this time the attack was successful. Messina had been abandoned by the Arabs and was now fortified and granted to Roger as fiefdom. Before advancing further Robert allied himself with Ibn al-Halwas, a local Emir, against the other Arabs of Sicily. Although the Arabs where defeated in each battle, the Normans and their allies where unable to conquer the vital strongholds and had to retreat. Roberts’s dream of ruling Sicily would remain unfulfilled. The same year Roberts’s second son Roger Borsa was born.
Over the next years Robert busied himself with organizing his realm and destroying the last Byzantine and Lombard resistance. In 1062 Robert was also forced to alter his last will since the pope demanded that Bohemond, since he had been born in an invalid marriage, should be disinheritied. In 1067 Robert finally reached an agreement with the Byzantines. The Byzantines offered to recognize as Duke, ally of the empire and “Marshal of the Empire”, a post which brought Robert the incredible salary of 200 gold pounds a year! Robert was now free to conquer the last places in Italy that still resisted him. These included the Lombard principalities of Capua and Salerno and the city of Naples. Capua was taken in a brief and successful joint campaign with his brother-in-law Gisulf II of Salerno, who took especial delight in the public execution of Pandulf V following his defeat. The city itself was added to the growing domain of Duke Robert.
Robert remained in Capua for the remaining year and busied himself both with hunting and affairs of the state. For example he gave great financial and military support to a papal missionary delegation whose aim it was to convert the Orthodox Greeks in Southern Italy. In the end the missionaries managed to convert most of the population of the city of Bari and the surrounding country. After having celebrated Christmas with his wife and court new priorities began to emerge in the Dukes mind. First of all Robert was determined to seize Naples the following year. Secondly, and that was a thought which he kept secret from his wife for good reasons, he grew determined to reinstate Bohemond, by now a boy of ten years, into his old rights. Before he set out for his campaign in February 1068 Robert sent word to Roger Wellsley, his chamberlain, to make the necessary preparations with all necessary discretion.
But for the moment family affairs had to wait. Robert turned up in front of Naples with a host of 2,500 men on February 28th. The Duke of Naples Sergios VI made several sallies but was unable to breach the Norman siege. But in spite of holding out against all Greek attacks, things where beginning to look bleak for the Normans as the year dragged on. An outbreak of Malaria killed hundreds of soldiers and by July only 800 where left in fighting conditions. It looked as if the siege would have to be lifted and Naples would be the first city to defy Robert Guiscard, the men who had so far conquered all who stood between him and the rule of all Southern Italy. Just now as all hope seemed to fail a new opportunity arose. A deserter from the city garrison promised to show the Normans a way into the city through the ancient Roman water system if he would be granted a share of the town’s treasury. Robert at once seized the opportunity. On the night of the 11th of July he led some 60 men into the city via the secret entrance and fought his way to the main citygate. As the Normans advanced they set fire to the houses they passed, creating panic and confusion among the Greeks. The gate was quickly taken and now the whole Norman army was ready to descend upon the city. Destroying, looting and killing the Norman horde annihilated all resistance and by 11 pm. Robert was looking down from the ducal palace, conquered only 15 minutes ago, onto the burning city. It was in this moment of glory and victory, with a song about the destruction of Troy on his lips as legend has it, that Robert was pierced from behind by a Neapolitan soldier who had been believed to be dead. This wounded man managed with his last breath to strike his dagger right through the Dukes chest before being killed by a Norman nearby. Robert was immediately carried away and the army’s surgeons and priests called together. To the shock of all his soldiers the Duke was beyond saving and died just as the sun began to set on the 12th of July 1068 at 6 am.
The death of Robert Guiscard was a terrible blow to all Normans. Like no other he had been the driving spirit of the conquest and he was respected for his valour and virtue as much as for his kindness towards his soldiers. His strong rule had provided to unity and stability the Normans had so desperately needed. Not surprisingly the whole Norman nobility showed up in Naples to escort the deceased to his last resting place. A grand procession, including no fewer than 8 counts and 3,500 soldiers, made its way from Naples to Benevento. There, after mourning ceremonies that lasted three days, the Duke was buried in the Church of our Lady on the 23rd of August. All present that day somehow understood that an age had come to an end.
