Tancred I Biography

Bohemund, Tancred, Raymond IV & Robert II of Flanders begin the siege of Nicea

Succeeds as Prince of Galilee

The citizens of Bethlehem invite Tancred to protect them

The Crusaders slaughter 40,000 & the 1st Crusade comes to an end. Jerusalem falls to the Normans after 1 month

Appointed Regent of Antioch, 1101-1112

Appointed Regent

The insurrectionists were forced to free the king and retreat to their castles. Pardon was given them on condition of exile and many, including Tancred, took the offer

The insurrectionists were forced to free the king and retreat to their castles. Pardon was given them on condition of exile and many, including Tancred, took the offer

Tancred joined his uncle Simon, Prince of Taranto, in invading the palace, detained the king and queen, William I and Margaret, and their two sons, and incited a massacre of Muslims

As soon as William II died, in 1189, Tancred rebelled and seized control of the island

As soon as William II died, in 1189, Tancred rebelled and seized control of the island

Richard I insistrsd that Tancred fulfil the financial commitments made by William II to the crusade. When Tancred balked at these demands, Richard seized a monastery and the castle of La Bagnara

Richard I of England arrived in Sicily at the head of a large crusading army on its way to the Holy Land. Richard immediately demanded the release of his sister, William IIs wife Joan, imprisoned by Tancred in 1189, along with every penny of her dowry and dower

Succeeds as King of Naples & Siciliy

After the city had been looted and burned, Richard established his base there and decided to stay the winter.

In October the people of Messina revolted, demanding that the foreigners leave the island.

Richard responded by attacking Messina, which he captured on 4 October 1190.

Richard was joined in Sicily by the French crusading army, led by King Philip II.

The presence of two foreign armies soon caused unrest among the locals.

After the city had been looted and burned, Richard established his base there and decided to stay the winter

After signing the Treaty Richard and Philip finally left Sicily for the Holy Land. It is rumoured that before he left, Richard gave Tancred a sword he claimed was Excalibur in order to secure their friendship

After signing the Treaty Richard and Philip finally left Sicily for the Holy Land. It is rumoured that before he left, Richard gave Tancred a sword he claimed was Excalibur in order to secure their friendship

Richard and Philip recognised Tancred as King of Sicily and vowed to keep the peace between all three of their kingdoms, Joan was to be released, receiving her dower along with the dowry, Richard officially proclaimed his nephew Arthur of Brittany as his heir presumptive,

Richard remained at Messina until March 1191, when Tancred finally agreed to a Treaty.

and Tancred promised to marry one of his daughters to Arthur when he came of age (Arthur was four years old at the time).

After signing the Treaty Richard and Philip finally left Sicily for the Holy Land. It is rumoured that before he left, Richard gave Tancred a sword he claimed was Excalibur in order to secure their friendship

Richard and Philip recognised Tancred as King of Sicily and vowed to keep the peace between all three of their kingdoms, Joan was to be released, receiving her dower along with the dowry, Richard officially proclaimed his nephew Arthur of Brittany as his heir presumptive,

and Tancred promised to marry one of his daughters to Arthur when he came of age (Arthur was four years old at the time).

Richard remained at Messina until March 1191, when Tancred finally agreed to a Treaty

In April 1191 in Rome, Henry and Constance were crowned emperor and empress by Pope Celestine III, and now the pair turned south to claim the Kingdom of Sicily. Constance accompanied her husband at the head of a substantial imperial army that descended into the Regno

Once Henry had withdrawn with the bulk of the imperial army, the towns that had supposedly fallen to the empire immediately declared their allegiance to Tancred, for the most part now fearing his retribution. The populace of Salerno saw an opportunity to win some favour with Tancred and delivered Constance to him in Messina

In April 1191 in Rome, Henry and Constance were crowned emperor and empress by Pope Celestine III, and now the pair turned south to claim the Kingdom of Sicily. Constance accompanied her husband at the head of a substantial imperial army that descended into the Regno

Once Henry had withdrawn with the bulk of the imperial army, the towns that had supposedly fallen to the empire immediately declared their allegiance to Tancred, for the most part now fearing his retribution. The populace of Salerno saw an opportunity to win some favour with Tancred and delivered Constance to him in Messina

Henry VI captures Sicily & has himself crowned King of Sicily

Henry VI captures Sicily & has himself crowned King of Sicily

At Gravina (June 1192) he reinforced his papal support by surrendering the royal legateship over Sicily.

But his death, at Palermo (20 February 1194), two months after that of his young son and co-king, Roger III, opened the way for Hohenstaufen rule in Sicily.

Henry had left garrisons along the frontiers of the Regno.

In 1192 and 1193 he personally led successful campaigns against the Apulian barons.

Tancred now sought to win over the towns by extensive grants of privileges.