Humphrey of Hauteville facts for kids
Humphrey of Hauteville (born around 1010 – died August 1057) was an important Norman leader. He was also known as Abagelard. From 1051 until he died, he was the count of Apulia and Calabria. This meant he ruled a large area in southern Italy.
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Early Life and Family
Humphrey was likely the youngest son of Tancred of Hauteville. His mother was Tancred's first wife, Muriel. Some old writings suggest that Geoffrey and Serlo were his younger brothers.
Many believe Humphrey traveled to southern Italy around 1035. He went with his older brothers, William and Drogo. However, he might have arrived later, in 1044. This was during the time his brother William was in charge.
Around 1047, his brother Drogo gave him control of Lavello. Humphrey later took over from Drogo as Count of Apulia in August 1051. While in Lavello, he worked with a young man named Richard Drengot. Richard would later help Humphrey in a big fight against the Pope.
In 1053, Humphrey welcomed three of his brothers to Italy. These were Geoffrey and his half-brothers, Mauger and a younger William. Humphrey gave Mauger control of the Capitanate region. He gave William control of the Principate.
Leading the Normans
Humphrey's time as count began with many problems. These were the same troubles that had ended his brother's rule. Humphrey strongly punished those who had harmed his brother. Many Norman knights were also causing trouble and raiding lands belonging to the Pope.
Guaimar IV of Salerno supported Humphrey becoming count. But Guaimar was soon harmed himself. Pope Leo IX then gathered an army against the Normans. The Pope's forces marched south to fight them.
The Battle of Civitate
The Pope's army and the Norman forces met in a big battle. This fight was called the Battle of Civitate. It happened near Civitate sul Fortore on June 18, 1053. Humphrey led the armies of the Hautevilles. His younger half-brother, Robert Guiscard, helped him. The Drengots also fought, led by Richard Drengot.
They fought against the combined armies of the Papacy (the Pope's power) and the Holy Roman Empire. The Normans won the battle. They defeated the Pope's army and captured the Pope himself. They held him in Benevento. The Normans had been allowed by the Emperor to take Benevento in 1047. They finally released Pope Leo IX on March 12, 1054. The Pope died soon after.
Norman Expansion
After the Battle of Civitate, the Normans grew stronger. They took advantage of the Pope's weakened power. Humphrey's forces captured Oria, Nardò, and Lecce by the end of 1055.
Meanwhile, Robert Guiscard, who was a hero from Civitate, conquered more lands. He took Minervino Murge, Otranto, and Gallipoli, Apulia. Humphrey became worried about Robert's growing power. So, he sent Robert back to Calabria.
Humphrey died in August 1057 (some say 1056). Robert Guiscard then became the new count. Humphrey had asked Guiscard to look after his young sons. But Guiscard took their inheritance instead. Humphrey is buried in the Abbey of the Santissima Trinità in Venosa.
Images for kids
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A statue believed to be of Humphrey of Hauteville.
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The family grave of the Hauteville family at the Abbey of the Santissima Trinità in Venosa.
