The French in the Kingdom of Sicily, 1266–1305

This original study of medieval contact and exchange explores the diverse connections between France and the kingdom of Sicily.

Jean Dunbabin (Author)

9781107530447, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 October 2015

332 pages, 6 tables
22.8 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.49 kg

'Amongst the many excellent features worth highlighting is the book's discussion of the role of Robert II d'Artois. This reflects a profound knowledge of the sources, both printed and archival … an extremely important work. It is a model of comparative history, and offers historians of late medieval France important new ways of thinking about the reigns of the later Capetians.' Chris Jones, Parergon: Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies

Charles of Anjou's conquest of the Sicilian Regno in 1266 transformed relations between France and the kingdom of Sicily. This original study of contact and exchange in the Middle Ages explores the significance of the many cultural, religious and political exchanges between the two countries, arguing that the links were more diverse and stronger than simply the rulers' family connections. Jean Dunbabin shows how influence flowed as much from south to north as vice versa, and that France was strongly influenced by the experiences of those who returned after years of fighting in the Regno. As well as considering the experiences of notable crusading families, she sheds new light on the career of Robert II d'Artois, who virtually ruled the Regno for six years before returning to France to remodel the government of Artois. This comparative history of two societies offers an important perspective on medieval Western Europe.

Introduction
Part I. Means of Communication: 1. Routes and journeys
2. Meetings, embassies and correspondence
3. The movement of money
Part II. Indirect Channels of Communication: 4. Lesser means of diffusing Angevin influences
Part III. Settlers in the Regno: 5. Robert II d'Artois
6. The Dampierres, the comital family of Flanders
7. Other French aristocratic families
8. Foundations and degrees of French aristocratic commitment to the Angevin regime in the Regno
9. The French experience in the Regno
Part IV. Cultural and Political Impacts: 10. Royal ideology: the saintly family
11. Religious politics and practices
12. The universities of Naples and Paris
13. Medicine and science
14. Law
15. Administrative practices
16. Navy and army
17. Literature
Epilogue: spurs to remembering
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: Medieval history [HBLC1], Early history: c 500 to c 1450/1500 [HBLC], European history [HBJD]