alternatehistory.com

it has been postulated that the policies of William "The Good" of Sicily lead to the downfall of not only Norman Sicily but also any attempt at blocking the cities of the western-Italian city states like Genoa and Pisa from interfering in Med. Politics. Had Sicily managed to keep itself untangled from HRE affairs/dominion it could have stayed at the premier sea power in the west and central Mediterranean Sea, if not potentially the entire sea.

So, what if Roger IV, Duke of Apulia is not killed and does become William "the Bad"'s heir and continues the naval policies laid out by Roger II? Becoming the tollgate for the Crusades and retaking North Africa?
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