Sergius VII of Naples facts for kids
Sergius VII was the last Duke of Naples. He became duke in 1122, taking over from his father, John VI of Naples. At this time, a powerful ruler named Roger II of Sicily was becoming very strong. When Roger became the Duke of Apulia in 1127 and then King in 1130, the future of Naples depended on how Sergius got along with him.
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Naples and Roger II
In 1131, King Roger II asked the people of Amalfi to give him control of their city's defenses. When they said no, Sergius VII first planned to help Amalfi with his ships. But Roger's admiral, George of Antioch, blocked Amalfi's port with a bigger fleet. Sergius then had to give in to Roger.
A writer from that time, Alexander of Telese, said that Naples, which had almost never been conquered since Roman times, now gave up to Roger just by hearing about his power. Sergius's standing was not very high, and Roger now controlled almost all of southern Italy.
Standing Up to the King
In 1134, Sergius supported a rebellion led by Robert II of Capua and Ranulf II of Alife. However, Sergius tried to avoid fighting Roger directly. After Capua fell, Sergius promised loyalty to King Roger.
But the next year, on April 24, 1135, a fleet from Pisa arrived in Naples. This fleet was led by Robert of Capua, who had been forced to leave his home. The fleet brought 8,000 extra soldiers, which made the rebels feel much stronger. Soon, a full-scale revolt began again. Sergius had to welcome Ranulf, who was also rebelling against the king he had just promised to obey.
The Siege of Naples
The rebel leaders—Robert, Ranulf, and Sergius—were trapped inside Naples by Roger's army until the spring of 1136. Many people in the city started to die from hunger.
However, a historian named Falco of Benevento, who supported the rebels, wrote that Sergius and the people of Naples did not give up. They preferred to die of hunger rather than surrender to a "bad King." Roger's naval blockade of Naples was not perfect. Sergius was able to sneak out to Pisa to get more supplies. Another time, Robert did the same thing.
Finally, a relief army led by Emperor Lothair II himself came to help Naples. King Roger then had to stop the siege.
Sergius's Final Battle
Emperor Lothair left quickly after taking control of most of southern Italy. This allowed King Roger to get back the lands he had lost. Sergius again promised loyalty to Roger, hoping to save his city from another siege.
Sergius was forgiven and joined Roger on a trip to fight against Ranulf, who used to be Sergius's friend. Ranulf was now the Duke of Apulia. On October 30, at the Battle of Rignano, Sergius and King Roger II, along with Roger's son, were defeated. Sergius himself died on the battlefield.
The End of Naples' Independence
It's interesting that Roger's defeat at Rignano actually helped him take over Naples. Sergius VII died without any children to take his place. The nobles of Naples could not agree on who should be the next duke.
In 1139, Roger finally added the Duchy of Naples to his new kingdom. This happened when the Pope, Innocent II, and the nobles of Naples agreed that Roger's young son, Alfonso of Hauteville, would be the new Duke.
Sources
- Norwich, John Julius. The Kingdom in the Sun 1130-1194. Longman: London, 1970.
- Alexander of Telese. The Deeds Done By King Roger of Sicily.
