Kingdom of Sicily

Quick Facts: Who was Kingdom of Sicily?

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Kingdom of Sicily

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A powerful historical state in Southern Italy, evolving from Norman rule to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

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Origins & Early Life

The Kingdom of Sicily (Latin: Regnum Siciliae; Sicilian: Regnu di Sicilia; Italian: Regno di Sicilia) was a state that existed in Sicily and the southern Italian Peninsula as well as, for a time, in North Africa, from its founding by Roger II of Sicily in 1130 until 1816. It was a successor state of the County of Sicily, which had been founded in 1071 during the Norman conquest of the southern peninsula. The island was divided into three regions: Val di Mazara, Val Demone and Val di Noto. After a brief rule by Charles of Anjou, a revolt in 1282 known as the Sicilian Vespers threw off Angevin rule in the island of Sicily. The Angevins managed to maintain control in the mainland part of the kingdom, which became a separate entity also styled Kingdom of Sicily, although it is informally and retrospectively referred to as the Kingdom of Naples.

Career & Major Achievements

The Kingdom of Sicily on the island (also known as Kingdom of Trinacria between 1282 and 1442 and Kingdom of Sicily on the other side of the Lighthouse between 1282 and 1816) on the other hand, became a semi-independent viceroyalty ruled by relatives of the House of Barcelona, and was then added permanently to the Crown of Aragon as a result of the Compromise of Caspe of 1412, while retaining a degree of its previous autonomy. Following the dynastic union of the crowns of Castile and Aragon (1469–1479), Spanish control over Sicily strengthened, enabling the Spanish Inquisition to more easily eliminate non-Catholic populations across all Spanish dominions. During the War of the Spanish Succession (1700–1714), the island was taken over by the House of Savoy. In 1720, Savoy gave it to Austria in exchange for Sardinia. Later, the island was ruled by a branch of the Bourbons.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Following the Napoleonic period, the Kingdom of Sicily was formally merged with the Kingdom of Naples to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, which in 1861 became part of the new unified Kingdom of Italy. By the 11th century, mainland southern Lombard and Byzantine powers were hiring Norman mercenaries, who were descendants of Vikings in northern France. It was the Normans under Roger I who conquered Sicily, taking it away from the Sicilian Muslims. After taking Apulia and Calabria, Roger occupied Messina with an army of 700 knights. In 1068, Roger I of Sicily and his men defeated the Muslims at Misilmeri but the most crucial battle was the Siege of Palermo, which led to Sicily being completely under Norman control by 1091.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1068: 1068 Milestone — In 1068, Roger I of Sicily and his men defeated the Muslims at Misilmeri but the most crucial battle was the Siege of Palermo, which led to Sicily being completely under Norman control by 1091.
2. 1071: 1071 Milestone — It was a successor state of the County of Sicily, which had been founded in 1071 during the Norman conquest of the southern peninsula.
3. 1130: 1130 Milestone — The Kingdom of Sicily (Latin: Regnum Siciliae; Sicilian: Regnu di Sicilia; Italian: Regno di Sicilia) was a state that existed in Sicily and the southern Italian Peninsula as well as, for a time, in North Africa, from its founding by Roger II of Sicily in 1130 until 1816.
4. 1282: 1282 Milestone — After a brief rule by Charles of Anjou, a revolt in 1282 known as the Sicilian Vespers threw off Angevin rule in the island of Sicily.
5. 1469: 1469 Milestone — Following the dynastic union of the crowns of Castile and Aragon (1469–1479), Spanish control over Sicily strengthened, enabling the Spanish Inquisition to more easily eliminate non-Catholic populations across all Spanish dominions.
6. 1700: 1700 Milestone — During the War of the Spanish Succession (1700–1714), the island was taken over by the House of Savoy.
7. 1720: 1720 Milestone — In 1720, Savoy gave it to Austria in exchange for Sardinia.
8. 1861: 1861 Milestone — Following the Napoleonic period, the Kingdom of Sicily was formally merged with the Kingdom of Naples to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, which in 1861 became part of the new unified Kingdom of Italy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kingdom of Sicily

True or False: “The Kingdom of Sicily was continuously ruled by a single dynasty without any major interruptions between 1071 and 1816.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The region experienced numerous changes in control, including rule by the Angevins, the Crown of Aragon, the House of Savoy, and the Bourbons.

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