Henry of Capua
Encyclopedia
Henry (1160–1172) was the youngest and second surviving son of William I of Sicily
by Margaret of Navarre. By his father's will he succeeded to the title Prince of Capua, an appanage
to the throne, while his brother William
succeeded to the throne.
Henry's coronation as prince was postponed from the death of his father (1166). He was present with William at Taranto
, where the young king awaited his Greek bride. They planned to return via Capua
and there invest Henry with his principality, but not far off from the town, Henry came down with a high fever. He was hurried to Salerno
and thence to Palermo
, but died within the month. According to legend, he was betrothed to a daughter of Malcolm IV of Scotland
on his deathbed, but this is false. Malcolm had no issue. He was originally buried in the chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene, but was moved by his brother to Monreale
, the final resting place of most of his family.
William I of Sicily
William I , called the Bad or the Wicked, was the second king of Sicily, ruling from his father's death in 1154 to his own...
by Margaret of Navarre. By his father's will he succeeded to the title Prince of Capua, an appanage
Appanage
An apanage or appanage or is the grant of an estate, titles, offices, or other things of value to the younger male children of a sovereign, who would otherwise have no inheritance under the system of primogeniture...
to the throne, while his brother William
William II of Sicily
William II , called the Good, was king of Sicily from 1166 to 1189. William's character is very indistinct. Lacking in military enterprise, secluded and pleasure-loving, he seldom emerged from his palace life at Palermo. Yet his reign is marked by an ambitious foreign policy and a vigorous diplomacy...
succeeded to the throne.
Henry's coronation as prince was postponed from the death of his father (1166). He was present with William at Taranto
Taranto
Taranto is a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Taranto and is an important commercial port as well as the main Italian naval base....
, where the young king awaited his Greek bride. They planned to return via Capua
Capua
Capua is a city and comune in the province of Caserta, Campania, southern Italy, situated 25 km north of Naples, on the northeastern edge of the Campanian plain. Ancient Capua was situated where Santa Maria Capua Vetere is now...
and there invest Henry with his principality, but not far off from the town, Henry came down with a high fever. He was hurried to Salerno
Salerno
Salerno is a city and comune in Campania and is the capital of the province of the same name. It is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea....
and thence to Palermo
Palermo
Palermo is a city in Southern Italy, the capital of both the autonomous region of Sicily and the Province of Palermo. The city is noted for its history, culture, architecture and gastronomy, playing an important role throughout much of its existence; it is over 2,700 years old...
, but died within the month. According to legend, he was betrothed to a daughter of Malcolm IV of Scotland
Malcolm IV of Scotland
Malcolm IV , nicknamed Virgo, "the Maiden" , King of Scots, was the eldest son of Earl Henry and Ada de Warenne...
on his deathbed, but this is false. Malcolm had no issue. He was originally buried in the chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene, but was moved by his brother to Monreale
Monreale
Monreale is a town and comune in the province of Palermo, in Sicily, Italy, on the slope of Monte Caputo, overlooking the very fertile valley called "La Conca d'oro" , famed for its orange, olive and almond trees, the produce of which is exported in large quantities...
, the final resting place of most of his family.
Sources
- Norwich, John JuliusJohn Julius NorwichJohn Julius Cooper, 2nd Viscount Norwich CVO — known as John Julius Norwich — is an English historian, travel writer and television personality.-Early life:...
. The Kingdom in the Sun 1130-1194. Longman: London, 1970.