Robert Guiscard Biography

Birth of Robert Guiscard, the sixth son of Tancred of Hauteville and eldest by his second wife Fressenda

Authorized by Pope Nicholas II to capture Siciliy

Invested by Pope Nicholas II with the Duchy of Apulia

Invested by Pope Nicholas II with the Duchy of Calabria

Invested by Pope Nicholas II with the future Duchy of Siciliy

At the Council of Melfi Pope Nicholas II invested Guiscard as Duke of Apulia, Calabria, and Sicily

At the Council of Melfi Pope Nicholas II invested Guiscard as Duke of Apulia, Calabria, and Sicily

Guiscard returned to Calabria, where his army was besieging Cariati. After his arrival, Cariati submitted and, before winter was out, Rossano and Gerace followed

Guiscard returned to Calabria, where his army was besieging Cariati. After his arrival, Cariati submitted and, before winter was out, Rossano and Gerace followed

Guiscard returned to Calabria, where his army was besieging Cariati. After his arrival, Cariati submitted and, before winter was out, Rossano and Gerace followed

The dHautvilles cross the Straits of Messina & to capture Sicily from the Saracens

Guiscard invaded Sicily with his brother Roger, capturing Messina in 1061 with comparable ease, they landed unsighted during the night and surprised the Saracen army

Guiscard invaded Sicily with his brother Roger, capturing Messina in 1061 with comparable ease, they landed unsighted during the night and surprised the Saracen army. Paterno fell, and Guiscard brought his army to Enna (then Castrogiovanni), a formidable fortress. The Saracens sallied forth and were defeated, but Enna itself did not fall. Guiscard turned back, leaving a fortress at San Marco d'Alunzio, named after his first stronghold in Calabria

Guiscard invaded Sicily with his brother Roger, capturing Messina in 1061 with comparable ease, they landed unsighted during the night and surprised the Saracen army. Paterno fell, and Guiscard brought his army to Enna (then Castrogiovanni), a formidable fortress. The Saracens sallied forth and were defeated, but Enna itself did not fall. Guiscard turned back, leaving a fortress at San Marco d'Alunzio, named after his first stronghold in Calabria

Returns in 1064, but bypassed Enna making straight for Palermo. His campsite was infested with tarantulas, however, and had to be abandoned. The campaign was unsuccessful

Returns in 1064, but bypassed Enna making straight for Palermo. His campsite was infested with tarantulas, however, and had to be abandoned. The campaign was unsuccessful

Captures Bari & eliminates the last Byzantine foothold in Italy

Bari was reduced in April 1071, and Byzantine forces were finally ousted from southern Italy

Palermo falls, and for the rest of Sicily it was only then a matter of time. As a result of his Sicilian campaign, Guiscard was referred to as "Black Shirt Robert" because throughout the campaign he wore elegant clothing with imported dyes that ran together resulting in black clothing

Palermo falls, and for the rest of Sicily it was only then a matter of time. As a result of his Sicilian campaign, Guiscard was referred to as "Black Shirt Robert" because throughout the campaign he wore elegant clothing with imported dyes that ran together resulting in black clothing

Palermo falls, and for the rest of Sicily it was only then a matter of time. As a result of his Sicilian campaign, Guiscard was referred to as "Black Shirt Robert" because throughout the campaign he wore elegant clothing with imported dyes that ran together resulting in black clothing

Palermo falls, and for the rest of Sicily it was only then a matter of time. As a result of his Sicilian campaign, Guiscard was referred to as "Black Shirt Robert" because throughout the campaign he wore elegant clothing with imported dyes that ran together resulting in black clothing

Guiscard expels the Lombard Prince Gisulf, whose sister Sichelgaita he had married

Bohemund Bohemund & Robert Guiscard defeat Emperor Alexius. The Battle of Dyrrhachium (Durres in Albania) between the Byzantine Empire, led by the Emperor Alexius I Comnenus and the Normans of southern Italy under Robert Guiscard, Duke of Apulia and Calabria. Fought outside the city of Dyrrhachium (also known as Durazzo), Byzantine capital of Illyria, results in a Norman victory

Launches an invasion fleet to capture Corfu

Alexius I Comnenus leads 50,000 & lifts the siege of Corfu led by Robert Guiscard

Guiscard Occupies Corfu and Durazzo, defeating the Emperor Alexius during his attack on the Greek Empire

Robert Guiscard raises the siege but it is sucessfully defended by George Palaeologus

Guiscard Occupies Corfu and Durazzo, defeating the Emperor Alexius during his attack on the Greek Empire

The Normans took Dyrrhachium in February 1082 and advanced inland, capturing most of Macedonia and Thessaly

The Normans took Dyrrhachium in February 1082 and advanced inland, capturing most of Macedonia and Thessaly

The Normans took Dyrrhachium in February 1082 and advanced inland, capturing most of Macedonia and Thessaly

Gregory VII is liberated from the Holy City by Robert Guiscard & taken to Salerno

Guiscard occupies Corfu and Kephalonia

Guiscard occupies Corfu and Kephalonia

Death of Robert Guiscard