Roger IV, Duke of Apulia
Encyclopedia
Roger IV was the eldest son of William I of Sicily
and Margaret of Navarre. Twice in his short life he was the object of the barons' intent to replace his father as king. When he was made the duke of Apulia is unknown, probably after his father's assumption of power in 1154.
In 1156, when he was three years old, barons opposed to Maio of Bari
began to consider removing not only the emir
, but also the king, and putting Roger on the throne. While a minor, the barons would be free from meaningful royal control. In 1161, after the successful assassination of Maio, the rebels paraded the nine year old Roger through the streets, announcing his succession and heralding his coming coronation in the Cathedral of Palermo
. However, the populace instead supported the succession claims of Simon, erstwhile Prince of Taranto
, the king's illegitimate half-brother. The people rebelled nd the palace was stormed. In the ensuing battle, young Roger was killed, by a wayward arrow to the eye. An alternative theory, advanced by William's enemy Falcandus
, is that Roger died after repeated kicking by his father, who was in a rage at having been betrayed by his son.
Roger was interred in the cathedral with his brother Henry, Prince of Capua, but later was moved to the chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene in Monreale
.
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...
and Margaret of Navarre. Twice in his short life he was the object of the barons' intent to replace his father as king. When he was made the duke of Apulia is unknown, probably after his father's assumption of power in 1154.
In 1156, when he was three years old, barons opposed to Maio of Bari
Maio of Bari
Maio of Bari , a Lombard merchant's son from Bari, was the third of the great admirals of Sicily. An ammiratus ammiratorum, or "Emir of Emirs," he was the most important man in the kingdom save the king himself. After the deposition and execution of Philip of Mahdia , the admiralcy was vacant for...
began to consider removing not only the emir
Emir
Emir , meaning "commander", "general", or "prince"; also transliterated as Amir, Aamir or Ameer) is a title of high office, used throughout the Muslim world...
, but also the king, and putting Roger on the throne. While a minor, the barons would be free from meaningful royal control. In 1161, after the successful assassination of Maio, the rebels paraded the nine year old Roger through the streets, announcing his succession and heralding his coming coronation in the Cathedral of Palermo
Cathedral of Palermo
The Cathedral of Palermo is an architectural complex in Palermo, Sicily, southern Italy. It is characterized by the presence of different styles, due to a long history of additions, alterations and restorations, the last of which occurred in the 18th century....
. However, the populace instead supported the succession claims of Simon, erstwhile Prince of Taranto
Simon, Prince of Taranto
Simon, bastard son of Roger II of Sicily, was created by his father Prince of Taranto in 1144, on the death of Roger III, Duke of Apulia, the eldest legitimate son of Roger II....
, the king's illegitimate half-brother. The people rebelled nd the palace was stormed. In the ensuing battle, young Roger was killed, by a wayward arrow to the eye. An alternative theory, advanced by William's enemy Falcandus
Hugo Falcandus
Hugo Falcandus was an Italian historian who chronicled the reign of William I of Sicily and the minority of his son William II in a highly critical work entitled The History of the Tyrants of Sicily . There is some doubt as to whether "Hugo Falcandus" is a real name or a pseudonym. Evelyn Jamison...
, is that Roger died after repeated kicking by his father, who was in a rage at having been betrayed by his son.
Roger was interred in the cathedral with his brother Henry, Prince of Capua, but later was moved to the chapel of Saint Mary Magdalene in 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...
.