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Roger I, Count of Sicily, (1031-1101)
Born 1031
Died 15 July 1101
Married (1) Delieri/Judith d'Evreux,
daughter of Guillaume d'Evreux and Hadewise
Married (2) circa 1077
Eremburge de Mortain,
daughter of Robert, Comte d'Eu and Beatrice
Died circa 1087
Married (3) 1090
Adelaide de Savona, Regent of Sicily,
daughter of Manfredo, Markgrave de Savona
Died 16 April 1118
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The youngest son of Tancred de Hauteville, he followed his elder brothers
from Normandy to Italy in 1057. Roger was given the task of conquering
Sicily from the Saracens; it took him from 1062 until 1091 before he finally
succeeded.
A local story tells how, while at Messina, he was besieged by Sicilian
refugees begging him to free Sicily from the Saracens. When he hesitated,
Morgana, the fairy of Arthurian legends, appeared in her glory before him.
She showed him her white coach which would carry him across the straits.
To show him her power, she made towns and palaces from the other side appear
so near that Roger could touch them.
However, being cautious, he replied that he would sail with his men
for Sicily in ships of his own fleet at the right moment, and that he would
win not by magic but with the help of Christ. At the mention of Christ's
name, the fairy, the coach, and the towns and palaces all
disappeared.
Since then, due to reflection and refraction of light in unusual atmospheric
states (the same causes for mirages in deserts) people can see men, ships,
streets, palaces and houses in the air or the sea. The people living near
the Straits of Messina call the phenomenon "Fata Morgana".
His greatest support was his first wife, Judith d'Evreux, but sadly
she died in 1076. A year later he married Eremburge de Mortain; but it
was his third wife, Adelaide de Savona, who became the mother of his heir.
Known as the Grand Count of Sicily, Roger died in 1101
and was buried with his first wife in the Cathedral of Mileto.
Source: Leo van de Pas |
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