A Sicilian Empire?

[Grey Wolf]

Did any of the Lombard princes want to become kings?

And when were the royal titles for kings of Sicily, Naples etc created?

Just trying to work out how many existing or potential kingdoms are in this area

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

 

[Tocomocho]

My understanding is that the Kingdom of Naples never existed under that name on paper. There was the Kingdom of Sicily, and after Sicily revolted during the Vespers both parts claimed to be the legitimate Kingdom of Sicily, one with capital in Palermo and the other with capital in Naples (hence the "Kingdom of the Two Sicilies" label when they were finally reunited). *Naples was considered a Papal fief still during the 1490s so I suppose that the original Kingdom of Sicily was one.

 

[Falecius]

My understanding is that the Kingdom of Naples never existed under that name on paper. There was the Kingdom of Sicily, and after Sicily revolted during the Vespers both parts claimed to be the legitimate Kingdom of Sicily, one with capital in Palermo and the other with capital in Naples (hence the "Kingdom of the Two Sicilies" label when they were finally reunited). *Naples was considered a Papal fief still during the 1490s so I suppose that the original Kingdom of Sicily was one.

I gather that "Two Sicilies" referred to the two parts in which the island was divided. I thought that after the Vespers, Naples was actually titled "Kingdom of Naples" though I wouldn't put my money on it.

 

[Bee]

And when were the royal titles for kings of Sicily, Naples etc created?

Best Regards
Grey Wolf

Sicily:

(1) 1130. Count Roger II of Sicily's rank upgraded to king by Antipope Anacletus II. Roger not recognized as king by the opposing papal candidate, Innocent II.

(2) 1139. After Anacletus II was dead, Innocent II recovered Rome and invaded the Norman kingdom with a papal army. The invasion failed, Innocent was captured and, with little choice in the matter, recognized Roger as king.

Sources: J.J. Norwich, The Kingdom in the Sun; Wikipedia article on Roger II.