Robert Guiscard1059
Authorized by Pope Nicholas II to capture Siciliy
France · Warfare / Norman Invasion Wars. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Authorized by Pope Nicholas II to capture Siciliy
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. 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
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
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