Sergius IV (died after 1036) was Duke of Naples from 1002 to 1036. He was one of the prime catalysts in the growth of Norman power in the Mezzogiorno in the first half of the eleventh century. He was nominally a Byzantinevassal, like his father, John IV, before him.
Italy in the time of Sergius IV.
In 1024, he submitted to Pilgrim, Archbishop of Cologne, when the latter was besieging Capua on behalf of Emperor Henry II, though his own duchy was not threatened. By this he acquired a reputation for weakness in the eyes of Prince Pandulf IV of Capua, who had been defeated by Pilgrim. In 1026, Pandulf, returned from captivity, besieged his old capital, now ruled by Pandulf V, the count of Teano. Basil Boioannes, the Greek catapan of Italy, negotiated a surrender and gave Pandulf V safe conduct to Naples, where Sergius offered him asylum. By this, Sergius incurred Pandulf IV's enmity. In the next year (1027), after Sergius' ally Boioannes was recalled, Pandulf attacked Naples and quickly captured it, some say by treachery. Pandulf V fled to Rome and Sergius went into hiding.
For Sergius, however, fortune reversed itself when Pandulf IV was abandoned by his Norman ally, Rainulf Drengot in 1029. Sergius and the Duke of Gaeta, his nephew, John V, sent an embassy to the Norman to ask his assistance in regaining the Neapolitan duchy. With Rainulf's help, Pandulf IV was chased from Naples and Sergius reinstated. Early in 1030, Sergius gave Rainulf the county of Aversa as a fief, the first Norman principality in the region. Sergius also gave his sister in marriage to the new count.
In 1034, Pandulf IV instigated a revolt in Sorrento and annexed it to Capua. In the same year, Sergius' sister died and Rainulf returned to Pandulf's side. Broken in spirit, Sergius retired to the monastery of the Holy Saviour in insula maris, where the Castello del'Ovo now stands. He was succeeded by his son, John V. When John went to Constantinople seeking aid from the Byzantines, Sergius briefly came out of retirement to act as regent. On John's return, Sergius returned to his monastery, where he was still living as late as June 1036. He probably died shortly thereafter. His two retirements explain Amatus of Montecassino's reference to him twice becoming a monk.
Chalandon, Ferdinand (1907). Histoire de la domination normande en Italie et en Sicilie. Paris.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
sergius, naples, this, article, includes, list, references, related, reading, external, links, sources, remain, unclear, because, lacks, inline, citations, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, more, precise, citations, november, 2018, learn, when. This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations November 2018 Learn how and when to remove this template message Sergius IV died after 1036 was Duke of Naples from 1002 to 1036 He was one of the prime catalysts in the growth of Norman power in the Mezzogiorno in the first half of the eleventh century He was nominally a Byzantine vassal like his father John IV before him Italy in the time of Sergius IV In 1024 he submitted to Pilgrim Archbishop of Cologne when the latter was besieging Capua on behalf of Emperor Henry II though his own duchy was not threatened By this he acquired a reputation for weakness in the eyes of Prince Pandulf IV of Capua who had been defeated by Pilgrim In 1026 Pandulf returned from captivity besieged his old capital now ruled by Pandulf V the count of Teano Basil Boioannes the Greek catapan of Italy negotiated a surrender and gave Pandulf V safe conduct to Naples where Sergius offered him asylum By this Sergius incurred Pandulf IV s enmity In the next year 1027 after Sergius ally Boioannes was recalled Pandulf attacked Naples and quickly captured it some say by treachery Pandulf V fled to Rome and Sergius went into hiding For Sergius however fortune reversed itself when Pandulf IV was abandoned by his Norman ally Rainulf Drengot in 1029 Sergius and the Duke of Gaeta his nephew John V sent an embassy to the Norman to ask his assistance in regaining the Neapolitan duchy With Rainulf s help Pandulf IV was chased from Naples and Sergius reinstated Early in 1030 Sergius gave Rainulf the county of Aversa as a fief the first Norman principality in the region Sergius also gave his sister in marriage to the new count In 1034 Pandulf IV instigated a revolt in Sorrento and annexed it to Capua In the same year Sergius sister died and Rainulf returned to Pandulf s side Broken in spirit Sergius retired to the monastery of the Holy Saviour in insula maris where the Castello del Ovo now stands He was succeeded by his son John V When John went to Constantinople seeking aid from the Byzantines Sergius briefly came out of retirement to act as regent On John s return Sergius returned to his monastery where he was still living as late as June 1036 He probably died shortly thereafter His two retirements explain Amatus of Montecassino s reference to him twice becoming a monk References editNorwich John Julius 1967 The Normans in the South 1016 1130 London Longmans Chalandon Ferdinand 1907 Histoire de la domination normande en Italie et en Sicilie Paris a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link External links editHistory of the Norman World Preceded byJohn IV Duke of Naples1002 1036 Succeeded byJohn V Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sergius IV of Naples amp oldid 1167483425, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
