Gilbert, Count of Gravina

Gilbert was a

queen of Sicily. He arrived in Sicily sometime around 1159 and, through Margaret's influence, was created Count of Gravina in Apulia

immediately.

Late in that same year, Gilbert joined a conspiracy of nobles, including

Bohemond of Tarsia, Count of Manoppello. The conspiracy was of only minor lords, but it gained traction. The aim of the conspirators was to assassinate Maio of Bari

and in this they succeeded on 10 November 1160. The rebellion which followed was short-lived in Sicily, and Gilbert was one of the barons restored to favour, along with Bohemond.

However, on the peninsula, the rebels, led by

Tancred of Lecce, marched on Butera and burned it. King William himself entered the field against Tancred, his nephew, while Gilbert held the Campania for him.^[2]

Gilbert took advantage of the death of William in 1166 to pressure his cousin, the regent, into giving him a high position at court. Gilbert became the personal enemy of Margaret's chief minister, the

catepan of Apulia and Campania to prepare for a possible invasion of Frederick Barbarossa

.

The year 1166 also saw the arrival of Rodrigo, Margaret's brother and Gilbert's cousin, from Navarre. Rodrigo was sent to Apulia with the name Henry and the title Count of Montescaglioso and there he stayed briefly with Gilbert.

In 1167, Barbarossa finally sent an army into the Campania. This army first established the

Adriatic

coast forced him to abandons the siege.

Later in that year, an uncle of Gilbert's,

Archbishop of Palermo, who had visited Gravina a year earlier, secretly sent for Gilbert's army to support him at Messina. At a council in Messina, Henry of Montescaglioso was accused by Gilbert of conspiring against the chancellor. Evidence of a confession was duly provided and the Navarrese count was imprisoned in Reggio Calabria. Gilbert, now high in favour, successfully got the count of Molise, an old adversary, arrested as well. Gilbert left with his army; but Messina was in an uproar.^[3]

Messina revolted and freed the imprisoned Count Henry. The insurrection spread and the people of Palermo forced the removal of Stephen du Perche. This accomplished, an interim council was set up to assist the regent. The council exiled Gilbert and he joined Stephen on

crusade, taking his wife and son, Bertrand of Andria, with him.^[1]^[4]

References

^ ^a ^b Falcando 1998, p. table II.
^ Falcandus, Hugo. Lives of the Kings of Sicily (LIBER DE REGNO SICILIE). The Latin Library.
^ Falcandus, Hugo. Lives of the Kings of Sicily (LIBER DE REGNO SICILIE). The Latin Library.
^ Falcandus, Hugo. Lives of the Kings of Sicily (LIBER DE REGNO SICILIE). The Latin Library.

Sources

Falcando, Ugo (1998). The History of the Tyrants of Sicily by "Hugo Falcandus," 1154-69. Translated by Loud, G.A.; Wiedemann, Thomas. Manchester University Press.
Norwich, John Julius. The Kingdom in the Sun 1130-1194. Longman: London, 1970.
History of the Tyrants of Sicily at Patrologia Latina.

[FOOTNOTEFalcando1998table_II-1] Falcando 1998, p. table II.

[2] Falcandus, Hugo. Lives of the Kings of Sicily (LIBER DE REGNO SICILIE). The Latin Library.

[3] Falcandus, Hugo. Lives of the Kings of Sicily (LIBER DE REGNO SICILIE). The Latin Library.

[4] Falcandus, Hugo. Lives of the Kings of Sicily (LIBER DE REGNO SICILIE). The Latin Library.

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[1]

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