Recalcitrant Crusaders? : The Relationship Between Southern Italy and Sicily, Crusading and the Crusader States, C. 1060–1198

This book explores the contribution of southern Italy and Sicily to the crusades and crusader states. By adopting the theme of identity as a tool of analysis, it argues that a far more nuanced picture emerges about the relationship than the dismissive portrayal by William of Tyre in his Chronicon , which has largely been accepted by later historians. Building upon previous scholarship in relation to Norman identity, it widens the discussion to evaluate the role of more fluid and evolving Italo-Norman and Italo-Sicilian identities, and how these shaped events. In so doing, this book also argues that the relationship between the territories needs to be considered in different dimensions: direct involvement of leaders and rulers versus indirect engagement through the geography of southern Italy and Sicily. Over time, and as identities change, these two dimensions converge, making the kingdom itself a leading participant in crusading. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 List of illustrations 7 Acknowledgements 8 List of abbreviations 9 Timeline 13 Simplified family trees 16 Introduction 18 Defining identity 19 Tracing the relationship between southern Italy, Sicily and the Latin Near East, c. 1160–1198 24 Detecting fluid identities and actions: the sources 26 Notes 31 1: The Italo-Norman crusaders – identities and influences 37 Bohemond’s motivation 38 Identifying and defining Italo-Norman crusaders 42 Applying prior Italo-Norman experience in the Latin East 45 Matrimonial ties: another factor in shaping inter-contingent relations? 55 Case study: the ambiguous identity of Richard of the Principate and his son Roger 56 Conclusions 64 Notes 65 2: Conscious construction of identity 74 Adopting identities: Bohemond as crusader and prince 75 Paternal influences in shaping Bohemond’s actions 77 The construction of identity in the Gesta Tancredi 79 The physical embodiment of multiple identities 92 Conclusions 101 Notes 102 3: Eclectic identities and shifting alignments in the kingdom of Sicily, c. 1130–54 110 Economic orientation 111 An expression of identification? 116 Religious motivation? 117 Indirect interest in the Latin East 120 Roger II and Antioch: a chimerical opportunity? 121 Potential Near Eeastern crusader? 127 Eclectic identities with political overtones? 130 Marriage as a reflection of Sicilian re-orientation? 133 Further indications of an intentional political reorientation? 134 Conclusions 135 Notes 136 4: Assuming a crusader identity – the kingdom if not the king 144 Early indications of a change in alignment? 145 The loss of Ifrīqiya 147 Inter-community tensions as a consequence of change? 148 Anglo-Sicilian links 150 Crusading heritage and renewed communication 151 Commitment to a common cause or convergence of interests? 153 Redefining the Sicilian sphere of influence? 158 The lure of Constantinople, or part of a wider picture? 160 Another possibility of family heritage at play? 162 Commitment in name if not in person 163 Sicilian participation via its locale 165 Conclusions 170 Notes 170 5: A conduit of communication reflecting continuous commitment 179 The importance of geography 179 A source of sustenance 181 The impact of transient footfall 185 Trade as a means of assistance? 189 Did blurred identity obscure involvement? 191 Recalcitrant crusaders? 193 The Holy Land on Italian soil? 196 Conclusions 203 Notes 204 Conclusion 213 Notes 218 Appendix: Summary of Guiscardian references within the Gesta Tancredi 219 Bibliography 220 Index 243 "This book explores the contribution of southern Italy and Sicily to the crusades and crusader states. By adopting the theme of identity as a tool of analysis, it argues that a far more nuanced picture emerges about the relationship than the dismissive portrayal by William of Tyre in his Chronicon, which has largely been accepted by later historians. Building upon previous scholarship in relation to Norman identity, it widens the discussion to evaluate the role of more fluid and evolving Italo-Norman and Italo-Sicilian identities, and how these shaped events. In so-doing, this book also argues that the relationship between the territories needs to be considered in different dimensions: direct involvement of leaders and rulers versus indirect engagement through the geography of southern Italy and Sicily. Over time, and as identities change, these two dimensions converge, making the kingdom itself a leading participant in crusading"-- Provided by publisher