The Norman Administration of Apulia and Capua more especially under Roger II and William I

On July 25th, 1127, duke William of Apulia died, and in the first days of August his kinsman and vassal, count Roger of Sicily, anchored his fleet in the bay of Salerno. Ambassadors left the ships and demanded the submission of the citizens to the count of Sicily, who claimed their allegiance on the ground of hereditary right. He asserted moreover that duke William, being childless, had during his life-time appointed him his heir. The Salernitans refused submission outright, because, they said, they had suffered much evil at the hands of the duke and his predecessors, and they expected no better from the count of Sicily. Not content with a plain refusal, they made their meaning clearer by killing one of the count's messengers. Roger in spite of this insult continued to urge his claim, and at length his politic self-control was rewarded. He obtained the submission of Salerno, but only at the price of confiding the custody of the castle to the citizens. In the meantime count Rainulf of Alife, the husband of Roger's sister Matilda, came to meet him and sought an interview on ship-board. Once more concessions were demanded as the price of homage.