Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia,
(1015-1085)
Born circa 1015 nr Coutances, Normandy
Died 17 July 1085 Cephalonia
Married (1) (Div.1058)
Alberade
Died 1111
Married (2) Sigelgaita de Salerno
daughter of Waimar IV, Prince of Salerno and Porpora
Died 1090
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A Norman warrior, Duke of Apulia and Calabria, the sixth of twelve
sons of Tancred de Hauteville, was born near Coutances in Normandy. He
won great renown in South Italy as a soldier, captured Reggio and Cosenza
(1066) and conquered Calabria. As the pope's champion, he along with his
younger brother, Roger, waged incessant war against the
Byzantine Emperor, Alexius Comnenos, gaining a great victory over him
at Durazzo (1081).
Marching towards Constantinople, he learned that the Emperor Heinrich
IV had invaded Italy; he hastened back, compelled Heinrich to retreat,
and liberated the Pope who was besieged in the castle of St.Angelo (1084).
Then, having returned to Epirus, he repeatedly
defeated the Greeks and was advancing a second time to Constantinople
when he died suddenly in Cephalonia.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
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