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Roger II of Sicily
A Ruler between East and West
An account of the reign of King Roger II, founder of the kingdom of Sicily.
Hubert Houben (Author), Graham A. Loud (Translated by), Diane Milburn (Translated by)
9780521652087, Cambridge University Press
Hardback, published 4 April 2002
260 pages, 10 b/w illus. 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 1.9 cm, 0.45 kg
"This short review does not do justice to the depth and substance of Houben's examination of this fascinating man and kingdom, which is at once learned, argumentative and readable. No small achievement." Journal of Church and State
Although many studies have addressed important aspects of medieval southern Italy, this was the first work for nearly ninety years to be devoted specifically to the life and reign of King Roger II, the founder of the kingdom of Sicily. The book provides a comprehensive introductory narrative of the reign and a clear, scholarly analysis of its culture and of the development of royal government. The kingdom created by the Norman Roger of Hautville in the first half of the twelfth century was a monarchy with highly developed absolutist ideas, an elaborate bureaucracy, a reasonably well-filled treasury, and a mixed cultural heritage reflected by the presence of Arabs and Greeks at court. Based on many years of research in archives and libraries across Europe, the book offers a valuable overview of one of the most striking periods in south Italian and European history.
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. Epilogue: the kingdom of Sicily after Roger II
6. Conclusion. A multicultural ruler
Medieval authors
Bibliography
Index.
Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]