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Robert Guiscard's Norman force conquers Palermo

The Siege of Palermo was carried out by the Normans under the command of Robert Guiscard and Roger of Hauteville against the Muslim-held city of Palermo.

The Siege of Palermo was carried out by the Normans under the command of Robert Guiscard and Roger of Hauteville against the Muslim-held city of Palermo. Although the Normans had begun their conquest of Sicily several years earlier, their advance was initially hampered by a shortage of troops and only gained momentum from 1071 onwards. The fall of Palermo, achieved through the deployment of a large army and the support of a powerful fleet in operations that lasted from August 1071 to January 1072, marked the end of Muslim rule in western Sicily. Following the conquest, the inhabitants of Palermo were permitted to continue practising their faith and to retain their property.

Historical Significance

The Siege of Palermo was carried out by the Normans under the command of Robert Guiscard and Roger of Hauteville against the Muslim-held city of Palermo.

Events Before

  1. Roquefort cheese created in a cave near Roquefort, France

    Roquefort cheese created in a cave near Roquefort, France

  2. Arnulf III the Hapless becomes Earl of Flanders

    Arnulf III the Hapless becomes Earl of Flanders

  3. Battle of Cassel; Robert I the Frisian defeats Arnulf III/I

    Robert I (1035 – 13 October 1093), known as Robert the Frisian, was count of Flanders from 1071 until his death in 1093.

  4. Bari falls to Robert Guiscard's Norman forces, ending Byzantine rule in Italy

    Bari falls to Robert Guiscard's Norman forces, ending Byzantine rule in Italy

  5. Battle of Manzikert: Seljuq Turks led by sultan Alp Arslan beat and capture Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes

    Battle of Manzikert: Seljuq Turks led by sultan Alp Arslan beat and capture Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes

Events After

  1. Pope Alexander II buried and Cardinal Hildebrand is chosen as Pope Gregory VII

    Pope Alexander II buried and Cardinal Hildebrand is chosen as Pope Gregory VII

  2. Battle of Montesarchio: Prince of Benevento, Pandulf IV killed battling the encroaching Normans in southern Italy

    Battle of Montesarchio: Prince of Benevento, Pandulf IV killed battling the encroaching Normans in southern Italy

  3. Dmitar Zvonimir is crowned king of Croatia

    Demetrius Zvonimir (Croatian: Dmitar Zvonimir, pronounced [dmîtar zʋônimiːr]; Old Church Slavic: ⰸⱏⰲⱏⱀⰻⰿⰻⱃⱏ; died 1089) was a King of Croatia and Dalmatia from 1075 or 1076 until his death in 1089.

  4. Pope Gregory VII excommunicates Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV for the first time

    Henry IV (German: Heinrich IV; 11 November 1050 – 7 August 1106) was Holy Roman Emperor from 1084 to 1105, King of Germany from 1054 to 1105, and King of Italy and Burgundy from 1056 to 1105.

  5. The first Parliament of Friuli is created

    The first Parliament of Friuli is created

More from the 1070s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 10, 1072?
The Siege of Palermo was carried out by the Normans under the command of Robert Guiscard and Roger of Hauteville against the Muslim-held city of Palermo. Although the Normans had begun their conquest of Sicily several years earlier, their advance was initially hampered by a shortage of troops and only gained momentum from 1071 onwards. The fall of Palermo, achieved through the deployment of a large army and the support of a powerful fleet in operations that lasted from August 1071 to January 1072, marked the end of Muslim rule in western Sicily.
Why is Robert Guiscard's Norman force conquers Palermo significant?
The Siege of Palermo was carried out by the Normans under the command of Robert Guiscard and Roger of Hauteville against the Muslim-held city of Palermo.

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