Tales After the Crusade
by NorseThing
Chapter 2.2 The Norman Conquest of Italy
Still 1100 A. D.
from the previous episode:
The next few months are filled with dockside activity. Preparations are now begining in earnest to load provisions and all manner of supplies onto the fleet while it is safe within the Palermo's harbor.
Today, the modest Palermo garrison has assembled on the docks with banners and flags. Three companies of infantry and three companies of cavalry are now prepared to embark. They begin the process of boarding the transports by marching forward. These are well trained and experienced units. If not all battle hardened, they at least know how to drill in good order.
We now continue with The Norman Conquest of Italy:
The stone castle will be in a dangerous positon for some time after the experienced garrison leaves. There will still be a minimal garrison, but they will all be recent recruits and will need training and experience to safely protect the center of the Sicilian kingdom. Soon the fleet sails off towards Syracuse as ordered by the king.
Admiral Serlo was on the fleet's flag ship tending to the details of such an important journey. The admiral is a young nobleman full of promise but unproven at the age of 29. This will be his first great task to actually command an invasion fleet. He has thoughts of the great King William of England and of course his ancestral home in Normandy. Odo, the Bishop of Bayeaux had died close to Palermo while sailing on Crusade to Jerusalem as a part of the Norman army. Adm. Serlo knows that he and truly any Norman could not measure up favorably in comparison to such great legends of his Norman heritage. But perhaps as the fleet sails from Palermo, maybe the spirit of Odo and even William will be with us.
The fleet drops anchor off of Syracuse. This is not the safest anchorage for this or any fleet. The Syracuse garrision now prepares to board various designated ships within the fleet. This garrison is a bit weaker than the Palermo garrison. However the Muslim Archers are truly a step up from the Levy Archers in the Palermo garrison. The Urban Militia lack the experience of their castle comrades. Just like in Palermo there has been advanced planning for a company of new recruits to make a minimal garrison after the fleet pulls anchor.
There is a substantial minority of Arabs that have remained in Syracuse and the surrounding county after the Norman nobility replaced the Arab nobility. The recruitment of the archers is a natural result. Actually almost a third of the county is still of the Islamic faith unlike in Greater Sicilia where the Islamic faith is diminishing due to the presence of Cardinal Niccolo di Palermo as well as the clergy working within the castle chapel.
Time is precious since the fleet is most vulnerable when at anchor. Loading troops and additional supplies takes time, but to rush matters could make for mistakes later in the journey when there is no nearby support. Adm. Serlo now at least has the support with the small town of Syracuse even if it is lacking the most basic dock facilities of Palermo and Naples.
Much to the admiral's surprise, it appears that the Governor of Syracuse is boarding with the garrison! Roberto de Conversano is only 28 and has not established any interest in military affairs. Yet he is boarding the fleet! Roberto does not board the flag ship, but one of the designated transports with the troops. More time will now be wasted. A noble and an enterage with additional cavalry as a bodyguard takes time to settle. This was not planned by Admiral Serlo. This also concerns the Admiral for other reasons as well. Has he been intentionally slighted? Has the Admiral lost the confidence of the king himself? Is Roberto simply inserting himself for personal glory?
Eventually the troops are settled by cramming the decks for the short journey accross the open Mediteranean Sea towards the Adriatic Sea. The supplies are stowed and secured in the holds. The problem of Roberto will need to resolve itself at a later date. The fleet now proceeds off towards the castle at Bari. Bari may only be a wooden castle, but it is stategic due to it's location at the joining of the Adriatic Sea with the Central Mediteranean Sea.
The fleet is now entering dangerous waters as it sails closer to County Apulia lands. The castle occupants will know the goings and comings between the two seas. To be seen by the defenders of the Castle is of course obvious. The powerful Venician fleet is rumored on patrol. On what terms are the nobles of Apulia with Venice? The Greeks are also just across the Adriatic. Any signal from Bari to an ally of Bari could lead to disaster. These empires are officially neutral, but the memories of the Crusade are still stirring emotions.
Let's back up in time for a moment. There were rumors of more than one Sicilian attempt to breach the safety of the high walls surrounding Constantinople during the Crusade. These were not open military confrontations, but more of subterfuge with the dark arts of spies and assasins. The Sicilians were present with the Norman Crusading force. The rumor was that this subterfuge was the work of Sicily and only Sicily. So perhaps the Sicilians were not present just as Crusaders.
The vulnerablity of the Greek Emperor may have been on many Norman adventurers mind as well. Some of the Normans had hoped that the Greek Emperor would lead the Crusade. The Emperor chose to resupply these men and wish them well as they moved on. But that was several years ago. They were rumors and were never really recorded in the chronicles at the time.
Let's return to today with the Sicilian fleet. What were the intentions of the Greeks and the Venicians today while the Sicilian fleet moved closer to the Adriatic Sea and the wooden castle at Bari?
While the fleet was moving, events were taking place in Naples as well. An envoy from the Pope had arrived seeking to establish some mutually profitable trade relationships with the new Sicilian masters of Naples. Romoaldo and the garrison had already yet left for Bari.
He was pleased that the Papal envoy had arrived. It was not a complete surprise. Romoaldo had heard that this might happen, so he had left instructions with the captain of the newly recruited replacement garrison. The envoy was treated with respect, but Romoaldo had a counter offer ready and in the hands of the captain. In addition to trade, the captain proposed that Rome join forces in an alliance with Sicily. "We can also give our soldiers mutual permission to treat Rome and Sicily as a single empire as military defense requires of close allies."
Much to Romoaldo's surprise, he quickly heard that the counter proposal was accepted. Not accepted with enthusiasm however. But accepted none the less. Much of this surprise was due to no promise of money toward the Papal expenses. Romoaldo thought it was common knowledge that all dealings with the Pope were easier when money also changed hands. Did Rome know of the fleet heading towards Bari Castle? Were the Sicilians falling into a trap to serve the Popes interests more than King Ruggero's interests?
This could be a great diplomatic victory for King Ruggero's noble House of d'Altavilla and for all of Sicily. Romoaldo was only a part of the House by marriage. Since his wife Princess Emma had not added to the family with a new generation, his postion was not secure. He hoped the king would recognize his part in this treaty, but only if this was not a mistake. Maybe he should have entrusted Emma with the offer? That would have been the safer path.
An unstated and necessary part of such an alliance would to be to support the clergy. This was done by authorizing the immediate construction of small churches in the settlements lacking such houses of worship. This was meant both to strengthen the bonds with Rome and to also lessen the residual Muslim influence on the Sicilian peasant population. Even Cardinal Niccolo di Palermo began a series of sermons. The sermons seemed to focus more on biblical violence than on redemption though. The parish priests as well as the local lesser nobles were impressed. A new Papal alliance, new church construstion, and even the Cardinal teaching the people from many church pulpits... Even the 'independant' counties near to Naples have christian support of faith of less than 4 of 5 within their population. Certainly this would be a great concern with the Pope and the entire clergy of the church. Was this a sign of a new future Crusade they wondered? What were higher powers planning?
Meanwhile the fleet was continuing across the central Mediteranean Sea moving ever closer to unknown danger. Admiral Serlo led the point of the fleet with his flagship. Close on the port side there is cheering and a loud ruckus aboard one of the transport ships. Much to the Admiral's surprise it appears that the King himself is with the fleet. Now cheers are being heard from every ship. The King is present with the fleet! Rex Sicilian himself. The sailors are smarter in their duties. The ships are now moving faster and with greater efficiency. The King is with the fleet!
-- to be continued --