Roger II of Sicily A Ruler between East and West [Hardcover]

An account of the reign of King Roger II, founder of the kingdom of Sicily.This book provides a clear, scholarly and up-to-date narrative of the epic reign of the 'Norman' king Roger II, the founder of the kingdom of Sicily, during the first half of the twelfth century. It provides an analysis of its mixed east-west culture and the development of its royal government. which was the most advanced in twelfth-century Europe. Although many recent studies have addressed important aspects of medieval southern Italy, this is the first work for nearly ninety years to be devoted specifically to Roger's life and reign.This book provides a clear, scholarly and up-to-date narrative of the epic reign of the 'Norman' king Roger II, the founder of the kingdom of Sicily, during the first half of the twelfth century. It provides an analysis of its mixed east-west culture and the development of its royal government. which was the most advanced in twelfth-century Europe. Although many recent studies have addressed important aspects of medieval southern Italy, this is the first work for nearly ninety years to be devoted specifically to Roger's life and reign.This is a scholarly and up-to-date narrative of the epic reign of the Norman King Roger II, the founder of the kingdom of Sicily during the first half of the twelfth century. It is a thoughtful analysis of the kingdom's mixed east-west culture and the development of its royal government; the most advanced in twelfth-century Europe. Although many recent studies have addressed important aspects of medieval southern Italy, this is the first work in nearly ninety years to be devoted specifically to Roger's life and reign.List of illustrations; Foreword to the German edition; Preface to the German edition; Preface to the English edition; List of abbreviations; Chronology; Maps; Genealogy tables; Introduction. Roger II: a controversial ruler; 1. The inheritance; 2. From count to king; 3. The new kingdom; 4. Between east and west; 5. l³J