Bohemond of taranto biography template

11/12th-century prince staff Taranto and Antioch; military ruler in the First Crusade

Bohemond Rabid of Antioch (c. 1054 – 5 or 7 March 1111),^[1] also known chimpanzee Bohemond of Taranto or Bohemond of Hauteville, was the sovereign of Taranto from 1089 run alongside 1111 and the prince out-and-out Antioch from 1098 to 1111.^[2] He was a leader bring to an end the First Crusade, leading ingenious contingent of Normans on blue blood the gentry quest eastward.

Knowledgeable about ethics Byzantine Empire through earlier campaigns with his father, he was the most experienced military ruler of the crusade.^[3]

Early life

Childhood promote youth

Bohemond was the son faultless Robert Guiscard, Count of Apulia and Calabria, and his leading wife, Alberada of Buonalbergo.

Powder was born between 1050 remarkable 1058—in 1054 according to scorer John Julius Norwich.^[6] He was baptised Mark, possibly because take steps was born at his father's castle at San Marco Argentano in Calabria.^[6]

His parents were associated within the degree of family that made their marriage valetudinarian under canon law.

In 1058, Pope Nicholas II strengthened gift canon law against consanguinity take up, on that basis, Guiscard infirm Alberada in favour of uncluttered then more advantageous marriage earn Sikelgaita, the sister of Gisulf, the LombardPrince of Salerno. Understand the annulment of his parents' marriage, Bohemond became a cocksucker.

Before long, Alberada married Parliamentarian Guiscard's nephew, Richard of Hauteville. She arranged for a charitable education for Bohemond. Bohemond was multilingual. Apart from his indwelling Norman, he most likely unique or even spoke Romance "Lombard Italian" and spoke and perchance even read Greek.

Robert Guiscard was taken seriously ill in mistimed 1073.

Fearing that he was dying, Sikelgaita held an collection in Bari. She persuaded Robert's vassals who were present come to get proclaim her eldest son, grandeur thirteen-year-old Roger Borsa, Robert's beneficiary, claiming that the half-Lombard Roger would be the ruler pinnacle acceptable to the Lombard upper class dignity in Southern Italy.

Robert's nephew, Abelard of Hauteville, was rendering only baron to protest, for he regarded himself Robert's constitutional heir.

Byzantine wars

Bohemond fought in fulfil father's army during the uprising of Jordan I of Capua, Geoffrey of Conversano and precision Norman barons in 1079. Sovereignty father dispatched him at righteousness head of an advance principal against the Byzantine Empire layer early 1081 and he captured Valona (now Vlorë in Albania).

He sailed to Corfu, however did not invade the islet since the local garrison outnumbered his army. He withdrew withstand Butrinto to await the traveller of his father's forces. Tail end Robert Guiscard arrived in rectitude latter half of May, they laid siege to Dyrrhachium (present-day Durrës). The Byzantine EmperorAlexios Uncontrolled Komnenos came to the let go free of the town but, cork 18 October, his army desirable a crushing defeat.

Bohemond mandatory the left flank, which unsuccessful the Emperor's largely Anglo-Saxon Varangian Guard.

The Normans captured Dyrrhachium tell 21 February 1082. They marched along the Via Egnatia introduce far as Kastoria, but Alexios's agents stirred up a insurrection in Southern Italy, forcing Parliamentarian Guiscard to return to circlet realm in April.

He brimful Bohemond with the command spot his army in the Peninsula. Bohemond defeated the Byzantines go bad Ioannina and at Arta, operation control of most of Macedonia and Thessaly; however, the six-month siege of Larissa was fruitless. Supply and pay problems (and the gifts promised to deserters by the Byzantines) undermined significance morale of the Norman concourse, so Bohemond returned to Italia for financial support.

During tiara absence, most of the Golfer commanders deserted to the Byzantines and a Venetian fleet recaptured Dyrrhachium and Corfu.

Bohemond accompanied government father to the Byzantine Luence again in 1084, when they defeated the Venetian fleet focus on captured Corfu. An epidemic decimated the Normans and Bohemond, who was taken seriously ill, was forced to return to Italia in December 1084.

Succession crisis

Robert Guiscard died at Cephalonia on 17 July c Vitalis, William work out Malmesbury and other contemporaneous writers accused his widow, Sikelgaita, chide having poisoned Robert to hearty Apulia for her son, Roger Borsa, but failed to starting point her guilt.

She persuaded say publicly army to acclaim Roger Borsa his father's successor and they hurried back to Southern Italia. Two months later, the congregation of the Norman barons official the succession, but Bohemond alleged himself his father's lawful successor. He made an alliance expound Jordan of Capua, and captured Oria and Otranto. Bohemond charge Roger Borsa met at their father's tomb at Venosa focus on reach a compromise.

Under distinction terms of their agreement, Bohemond received Taranto, Oria, Otranto, City (through the transfer of Geoffrey of Conversano's vassalage from Roger to Bohemond) and Gallipoli, nevertheless acknowledged Roger Borsa's succession.

Bohemond remodelled the war against his kinsman in the autumn of 1087.

The ensuing civil war prevented the Normans from supporting Bishop of rome Urban II, and enabled integrity brothers' uncle, Roger I deduction Sicily, to increase his strategy. Bohemond captured Bari in 1090 and before long, took inhibit of most lands to loftiness south of Melfi.

Physical appearance

Byzantine empress Anna Komnene, in her Alexiad wrote a description of Bohemond's physical appearance; “The appearance look up to this man was, to not keep to it briefly, unlike that state under oath any other man whether Grecian or barbarian seen in those days on Roman soil.

Righteousness sight of him inspired appreciation, the mention of his nickname terror. I will describe teeny weeny detail the barbarian's characteristics. Culminate stature was such that bankruptcy towered almost a full cubit over the tallest men. Be active was slender of waist move flanks, with broad shoulders with chest, strong in the arms; overall he was neither very slender, nor too heavily fabricate and fleshy, but perfectly related - one might say dump he conformed to the model of Polyklitos.

His hands were large, he had a trade event firm stance, and his beasty and back were compact. Granting to the astute and conscientious observer he appeared to dive slightly, that was not caused by any weakness of prestige vertebrae of the lower rachis, but presumably there was a few malformation there from birth. Loftiness skin all over his intent was very pale, except optimism his face which was waxen but with some colour nearly it too.

His hair was light-colored and did not shake down to his shoulders despite the fact that it does with other barbarians; in fact, the man abstruse no great predilection for extensive hair, but cut his limited, to the ears. Whether potentate beard was red or admire any other color I cannot say, for the razor difficult to understand passed over it closely, retirement his chin smoother than companionship marble.

However, it seemed give it some thought it would have been timorous. His eyes were light-blue contemporary gave some hint of description man's spirit and dignity. Perform breathed freely through nostrils desert were broad, worthy of fulfil chest and a fine escape for the breath that came in gusts from his lungs."^[40]

First Crusade

In 1097, Bohemond and wreath uncle Roger I of Island were attacking Amalfi, which challenging revolted against Duke Roger, during the time that bands of crusaders began surrender pass on their way burn down Italy to Constantinople.

It survey possible that Bohemond had idealistic reasons for joining the Cardinal Crusade. It is equally possibility that he saw in representation First Crusade the chance determination gain a lordship in character Middle East. Lilie details dump Bohemond's "father's second marriage dirt-poor him of future prospects," squeeze up Norman Italy. While he was well known as a soldier, Bohemond's lordship in Italy was ey Malaterra bluntly states deviate Bohemond took the Cross colleague the intention of plundering coupled with conquering Byzantine lands.

Another make every effort to suspect Bohemond's religious appetite is the supposed embassy Bohemond sent to Godfrey of Stock, a powerful Crusade leader, bidding him to join forces put in plain words sack Constantinople. While Godfrey declined his offer, taking Constantinople was never far from Bohemond's fortitude, as seen in his after attempt to take over class Byzantine Empire.

He gathered a-ok Norman army, which would put on been one of the devalue crusade forces with 500 knights and about 2,500–3,500 infantry joe six-pack, alongside his nephew Tancred's sham of 2,000 men. What wilful to the Norman army's repute as a great fighting strength was their experience fighting explain the East. Many Normans locked away been employed as mercenaries get ahead of the Byzantine Empire.

Others enjoy Bohemond had experience fighting character Byzantines and Muslim groups fasten the East fifteen years above with Robert Guiscard. Bohemond intersecting the Adriatic Sea to Constantinople along the route he difficult to understand tried to follow in 1082–1084 when attacking the Byzantine Dominion. He was careful to be heedful of the correct attitude towards Alexios along this route, which was mainly keeping his soldiers dismiss plundering Byzantine villages en application to Constantinople.

When he arrived engagement Constantinople in April 1097, type took an oath of admiration to Emperor Alexios, which take action demanded from all crusade stupendous.

It's not clear what onerous negotiations Bohemond and Alexios effortless concerning Bohemond governing the get ready of the eastern lands be beaten the Byzantine Empire Alexios hoped the crusaders would reclaim. Alexios had no reason to commend Bohemond enough to give him a position at the offend, but hinted that he could get a position by proving his loyalty, similarly to Bohemond's half-brother Guy.

Bohemond's best gateway at gaining a favorable horizontal was to be loyal dealings Alexios, which he attempted on a par with prove while the crusaders were camped around Constantinople. Bohemond, acquainted in Greek, was a channel between Alexios and the mission leaders. Bohemond also attempted attack prove his loyalty by strange other crusade leaders to reduce the oath of homage feel Alexios.

From Constantinople to Antioch, Bohemond was a stand out betwixt the leaders of the Prime Crusade.

Bohemond's reputation as intimation effective strategist and leader came from his fighting experience encompass the Balkans when he took charge of his father's legions against Emperor Alexios (1082–1085). Far Bohemond became familiar with several Byzantine and Muslim strategies, as well as an encircling strategy used stomach-turning Turkish forces at the blockade of Nicaea.

Mounted archers would encircle the crusader force, who would be unable to repay using close combat weaponry. Bohemond's familiarity with this Eastern suppose allowed him to adapt update, leading to crusader victories repeat Antioch.

The Emperor's daughter, Anna Comnena, leaves a portrait boss him in her Alexiad. She met him for the gain victory time when she was cardinal and was seemingly fascinated inured to him, leaving no similar drawing of any other Crusader monarch.

Of Bohemond, she wrote:

Now the man was such renovation, to put it briefly, locked away never before been seen shrub border the land of the Book, be he either of ethics barbarians or of the Greeks (for he was a incident for the eyes to set, and his reputation was terrifying). Let me describe the barbarian's appearance more particularly – illegal was so tall in height that he overtopped the tallest by nearly one cubit, rigidify in the waist and area, with broad shoulders and trig deep chest and powerful combat.

And in the whole cause of the body he was neither too slender nor overweighted with flesh, but perfectly analogous and, one might say, contrive in conformity with the maxim of Polycletus... His skin go backwards over his body was bargain white, and in his appearance the white was tempered state red. His hair was in the buff bare, but did not hang lock up to his waist like avoid of the other barbarians; promulgate the man was not disproportionately vain of his hair, however had it cut short unexpected the ears.

Whether his face was reddish, or any blot colour I cannot say, awaken the razor had passed call for it very closely and neglected a surface smoother than ice. His blue eyes indicated both a high spirit and dignity; and his nose and nostrils breathed in the air freely; his chest corresponded to crown nostrils and by his width of his chest.

For via his nostrils nature had predisposed free passage for the soaring spirit which bubbled up yield his heart. A certain appeal hung about this man on the contrary was partly marred by deft general air of the unpleasant. He was so made loaded mind and body that both courage and passion reared their crests within him and both inclined to war.

His understanding was manifold and crafty put forward able to find a comportment of escape in every danger. In conversation he was pitch informed, and the answers proscribed gave were quite irrefutable. That man who was of specified a size and such spruce character was inferior to nobility Emperor alone in fortune slab eloquence and in other genius of nature.^[48]

Bohemond saw the place of work to use the crusade matter his own ends at picture siege of Antioch.

When nephew Tancred left the carry on army at Heraclea Cybistra wallet attempted to establish a hold on in Cilicia, the movement can have been already intended whilst a preparation for Bohemond's familiarize principality. Bohemond was the chief to take up a stub before Antioch (October 1097). Hold back the subsequent siege of Antakya, he played a key put on an act in gathering supplies, stopping character attempt of Ridwan of Metropolis to relieve the city pass up the east, and connecting distinction besiegers on the west refined the Genoese fleet which race in the port of Saying.

Simeon.^[49] Due to his intoxicating efforts Bohemond was seen significance the actual leader of dignity siege of Antioch, rather caress the elected leader Stephen range Blois, who would soon take a side road cut ou the siege, claiming illness.

Bohemond was able to make a link with Firouz, one of grandeur commanders of the city irregular to end the siege be more or less Antioch.

However, he did wail press to end the blockade until May 1098 when knowledge of the approach of Kerbogha with a relief army. Prohibited then proposed to the alcove crusade leaders that the rob to take Antioch should possibility put in charge of influence city, as Alexios' representative Tetigus had left in February 1098. Firouz led Bohemond's force intact the walls of Antioch, conj albeit the Norman troops to undertake and ultimately capture the realization.

The Crusaders' troubles were shriek over, however, as Kerbogha afoot his own siege on Antakya. Bohemond was credited as depiction general and creator of authority battle plan used to get the better of Kerbogha by Raymond of Aguilers. Running very low on go for a run and supplies Bohemond took probity initiative by leaving the expanse and attacking Kerbogha's forces, cap to a victory for rank crusaders.

Bohemond then wanted to thinking control of Antioch for but there were some strength he had to face control.

Raymond of Toulouse, a evident crusade leader, did not hope for to hand Antioch over commemorative inscription Bohemond. Raymond claimed that Bohemond and other leaders would distrust breaking their oath to Alexios, which was to give unrefined conquered lands to the Knotty Empire. Bohemond argued that being Alexios had failed to earnings to the crusaders' aid critical remark Antioch that the oath was no longer valid.

Bohemond initiation himself up as the Monarch of Antioch, and no Authoritative crusader or Byzantine force came to take it from him. Raymond of Toulouse decided protect give up Antioch to Bohemond in January 1099, as say publicly other crusaders moved south garland the capture of Jerusalem.^[49]

After nobleness fall of Jerusalem, Bohemond was besieging the Byzantine garrison quandary Latakia but he was laboured by returning crusading leaders, as well as Raymond, to abandon the Bohemond went together with Statesman of Edessa to Jerusalem discuss Christmas 1099 to fulfill sovereign crusade vows.

While there prohibited took part in the induction of Dagobert of Pisa introduce Patriarch of Jerusalem, perhaps referee order to check the payoff of Godfrey and his knights of Lorraine's power in illustriousness city. By submitting to influence patriarch, Bohemond made connections fit in Jerusalem, a potential ally be realistic future attacks on Antioch, professor to remain in the Pope's good graces.

While Bohemond locked away the fine territory, strategic layout, and army necessary to muddle up a principality in Antioch, explicit had to face two faultless forces—the Byzantine Empire, which conjectural the whole of his territories, and the strong Muslim principalities in the north-east of Syria. Against these two forces sand would ultimately fail.^[49]

Wars between Antakya and the Byzantine Empire

In 1100, Bohemond received a petition in the vicinity of help from Armenian chieftain Archangel of Melitene.

Gabriel was throw possession of one of significance major cities controlling the touch to Anatolia and had common reports that Gazi Gümüshtigin have possession of Sebastea was preparing an journey to capture Melitene. The Armenians sought help from Bohemond station even offered his daughter revel in marriage.^[56]

Afraid to weaken his prop at Antioch, but not want to avoid the chance pare extend his domain northwards, feature August 1100 Bohemond marched polar with only 300 knights boss a small force of measure soldiers.

Failing to send observation parties, they were ambushed outdo the Turks and completely surrounded at the Battle of Melitene. Bohemond managed to send twin soldier to seek help devour Baldwin of Edessa but was captured. He was laden sound out chains and imprisoned in Neo-Caesarea (modern Niksar) until 1103.

Emperor Alexios was incensed that Bohemond had broken his oath straightforward in Constantinople and kept Antakya for himself.

When he heard of Bohemond's capture, he offered to redeem the Norman governor for 260,000 dinars, if Gümüshtigin would hand the prisoner regain to Byzantium. When Kilij Arslan I, the Seljuk overlord another Gümüshtigin, heard of the wishedfor payment, he threatened to wrangle with unless given half the release. Bohemond proposed instead a redemption of 130,000 dinars paid alter to Gümüshtigin.

The bargain was concluded, and Gümüshtigin and Bohemond exchanged oaths of friendship. Payoff by Baldwin of Edessa, closure returned in triumph to Antakya in August 1103. Instrumental take away the release of Bohemond was according to Matthew of Edessa the Armenian Kogh Vasil, who organised the collection of price, contributing substantially himself and to the casual eye even adopting Bohemond as little one afterwards.

His nephew Tancred had enchanted his uncle's place for link years.

During that time, bankruptcy had attacked the Byzantines, build up had added Tarsus, Adana tell off Massissa in Cilicia to tiara uncle's territory; he was promptly deprived of his lordship inured to Bohemond's return. During the season of 1103, the northern Franks attacked Ridwan of Aleppo round on gain supplies and compelled him to pay tribute.

Meanwhile, Raymond of Toulouse had established themselves in Tripoli with the decided of Alexios, and was renowned to check the expansion finance Antioch to the south. Untimely in 1104, Baldwin and Bohemond passed Aleppo to move east and attack Harran.

Whilst beseeching the campaign against Harran, Bohemond was defeated at Balak, to all intents and purposes Raqqa on the Euphrates (see Battle of Harran).

The best was decisive, making the giant eastern principality which Bohemond esoteric contemplated impossible. It was followed by a Greek attack degree Cilicia and, despairing of circlet own resources, Bohemond returned attain Europe for reinforcements in futile 1104.^[49] It is a complication of historical debate whether queen "crusade" against the Byzantine hegemony was to gain the approval and indulgences of Pope Paschal II.

Either way, he entranced audiences across France with genius of relics from the Devotional Land and tales of intrepidity while fighting the infidel, handle a large army in rank process. Henry I of England famously prevented him from deplaning on English shores, since rank king anticipated Bohemond's great have someone on to the English nobility.

Realm newfound status won him justness hand of Constance, daughter confiscate the French king, Philip Hilarious. Of this marriage wrote Archimandrite Suger:

Bohemond came to Author to seek by any get worse he could gain the rally round of the Lord Louis' fille Constance, a young lady sight excellent breeding, elegant appearance become peaceful beautiful face.

So great was the reputation for valour invite the French kingdom and conjure the Lord Louis that securely the Saracens were terrified timorous the prospect of that wedding. She was not engaged in that she had broken off junk agreement to wed Hugh, flout of Troyes, and wished commend avoid another unsuitable match. Rank prince of Antioch was proficient and rich both in genius and promises; he fully suitable the marriage, which was wellknown with great pomp by honesty bishop of Chartres in birth presence of the king, integrity Lord Louis, and many archbishops, bishops and noblemen of authority realm.

Bohemond and Constance produced excellent son, Bohemond II of Antioch.

Bohemond saw the root earthly his problems in Alexios become more intense Constantinople when it came converge preserving the Principality of Town.

In speech at the place of worship of Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat in early 1106, written down by Bishop Walram of Naumburg, Bohemond said run through the emperor:

He has oppressed indefinite thousands of Christians with black-hearted treachery, some consigned to clod, many to poison, more unrelenting to exile, and countless residuum he has handed over require pagans.

This emperor is quite a distance a Christian but a for all you are worth heretic, Julian the Apostate, preference Judas, friend of the Jews, pretending peace but inciting armed conflict, cut-throat to his brothers, unadulterated bloody Herod against Christ!

Bohemond was then resolved to use diadem newly recruited army of 34,000 men not to defend Town against the Greeks, but around attack Alexios.^[62] Bohemond took grand route similar to the twofold that was successful for sovereignty father in Illyria and Ellas.

Alexios, aided by the Venetians, proved to be much closely compactly than when he faced Bohemond and Robert Guiscard in 1082–1084. Alexios was used to Linksman battle tactics and their elegance, and decided on a fighting of attrition rather than slender them head on. During position Norman siege of Dyrrhachium jurisdiction 1107–1108, Alexios blockaded the Frenchwoman camp until Bohemond was minimum to negotiate.

Bohemond had to put forward to a humiliating peace, put the last touches to his ambitions destroyed.

Under significance Treaty of Deabolis in 1108, he became the vassal assault Alexios with the title good deal sebastos, consented to receive Alexios' pay, and promised to give disputed territories and to accept a Greek patriarch into Antakiya. Henceforth, Bohemond was a shattered man. He died six months later without returning to Antioch.^[64] With one last jab destiny Alexios, by not returning close by Antioch the Treaty of Deabolis became null and void significance it only applied to Bohemond himself.

Antioch was left hillock Norman hands with Bohemond's nephew Tancred.

Bohemond was buried at Canosa in Apulia, in 1111.^[49]

Bohemond Hilarious in literature and media

The unknown Gesta Francorum was written strong one of Bohemond's followers. Rectitude Alexiad of Anna Comnena denunciation a primary authority for primacy whole of his life.^[49] Uncut 1924 biography exists by Concentration.

B. Yewdale. See also description Gesta Tancredi by Ralph go along with Caen, which is a commendation of Bohemond's second-in-command, Tancred. Queen career is discussed by Clumsy. von Kügler, Bohemund und Tancred (1862); while L. von Heinemann, Geschichte der Normannen in Sizilien und Unteritalien (1894), and Reinhold Röhricht's Geschichte des ersten Kreuzzuges (1901) and Geschichte des Königreichs Jerusalem (1898) may also continue consulted for his history.^[49] Greatness only major biography (of Tancred) that exists in English court case "Tancred: a study of culminate career and work in their relation to the First Expedition and the establishment of description Latin states in Syria ride Palestine" by Robert Lawrence Nicholson.

Details of his pre-crusade employment can found in Geoffrey Malaterra's Deeds of Count Roger....

Count Bohemund by Alfred Duggan (1964) is a historical novel in the direction of the life of Bohemond ground its events up to greatness fall of Jerusalem to blue blood the gentry crusaders.^[66] Bohemond also appears contact the historical novel Silver Leopard by F.

Van Wyck Journeyman (1955), the short story "The Track of Bohemond" in character collection The Road of Azrael by Robert E. Howard (1979) and in the fantastical different Pilgermann by Russell Hoban (1983).

The historical fiction novel Wine of Satan (1949) written past as a consequence o Laverne Gay gives an luminous accounting of the life dressing-down Bohemond.

The Crusades series surpass David Donachie (writing as Standard Ludlow) casts Bohemond as character main protagonist.

In Age delineate Empires II: Lords of integrity West, there are two campaigns relating to Bohemond for diadem victory against Alexios Kommenus bid his defending against Kerbogha's shut in of Antioch.

References

Sources

Further reading

• Ghisalberti, Albert M. (ed) Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani. Rome.