The Normans in Italy 1016–1194

Raffaele D’Amato · Andrea Salimbeti

Jul 2020 · Bloomsbury Publishing

About this ebook

Preceding and simultaneously with the conquest of England by Duke William, other ambitious and aggressive Norman noblemen (notably the Drengot, De Hauteville and Guiscard families) found it prudent to leave Normandy. At first taking mercenary employment with Lombard rulers then fighting the Byzantine Empire in southern Italy, many of these noblemen achieved great victories, acquired rich lands of their own, and perfected a feudal military system that lasted for 200 years. As news of the rich pickings to be had in the south spread in Normandy, they were joined by many other opportunists – typically, younger sons who could not inherit lands at home. Steadily, these Norman noblemen fought their way to local power, at first in Apulia, then across the Adriatic in Albania, and finally in Muslim Sicily, defeating in the process the armies of Byzantium, the German 'Holy Roman Empire', and Islamic regional rulers. Finally, in 1130, Roger II founded a unified kingdom incorporating southern Italy and Sicily, which lasted until the death of Tancred of Lecce in 1194 – though its legacy long outlasted Norman political rule.

This beautifully illustrated title explores not only the Norman armies, but the armies of their opponents, with full-colour plates and expert analysis revealing fascinating details about the fighting men of Normandy, Byzantium, the Arab armies and more.

About the author

Raffaele D'Amato PhD is the author of over forty books and numerous articles on the military of Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, Byzantium and the Middle Ages. For two years
he taught at Fatih University, Istanbul as a visiting professor. He currently works as a lawyer and as an external researcher for the Laboratory of the Danubian Provinces at the University of Ferrara, Italy which is part of the Scientific Committee.

Andrea Salimbeti is an independent researcher of ancient military history, particularly of the Bronze Age in Greece and the Middle East. He is professionally engaged in international space programs, and has published articles in the field of aerospace technology and equipment.

Florent Vincent was born in 1973, and studied Applied Arts, History of Art and Archaeology. An illustrator specializing in historical and military subjects, he works with many French and Foreign publishers and museums (Museum of National Antiquities of St-Germain-en-Laye, Museum of the Army of Paris, Archaeological Museum of Frankfurt, etc.). He is also the co-author of two books on the Gallic Wars.