Profession: King of Sicily
Biography: Roger II inherited the territory of Sicily established by his father Roger I aged just nine years old. A member of the Norman House of Hauteville, Roger built on his father's legacy, eventually uniting all the Normal territories in southern Italy into one realm, as well as greatly extending the kingdom to include parts of Tunisia, and Corfu with his navy.
In 1140 after promising to support the antipope Anacletus II, he was crowned King in Palermo on Christmas Day in 1130. A title he forced Pope Innocent II to later consent to after he had defeated a Papal army and taken the pope captive in 1139.
Above all Roger II is remembered as a king of intellect, who built a court and kingdom that merged his Norman heritage with the mainly Arabic Muslim and Greek population into a a successful melting pot. His kingdom became a center for scholars and was renown for its civil service
Born: December 22, 1095
Birthplace: Mileto, Calabria
Star Sign: Capricorn
Died: February 26, 1154 (aged 58)
Historical Events
- 1130-12-25 Anti-pope Anacletus II crowns Roger II the Norman king of Sicily
- 1132-07-24 Battle of Nocera between Ranulf II of Alife and Roger II of Sicily
- 1137-10-30 Battle of Rignano between Ranulf of Apulia and Roger II of Sicily.
- 1139-04-08 Roger II of Sicily is excommunicated
- 1139-07-22 Pope Innocent II is ambushed and taken captive by the forces of Roger II of Sicily at Galluccio while trying to invade the Kingdom of Sicily
- 1140-04-28 The Palatine Chapel, commissioned by Roger II and one of Norman Sicily's most important buildings is consecrated on Palm Sunday in Palermo (World Heritage Site 2015)
Attila
Ferdinand III of Castile
Gustav IV Adolf
Henry V
Philip I
Philippe of Belgium