Malaterra: DE REBUS GESTIS ROGERII CALABRIAE ET SICILIAE COMITIS ET ROBERTI GUISCARDI DUCIS FRATRIS EIUS

Quoniam quidem arduas res clarosque triumphos duorum procerum, Guiscardi videlicet ducis et Rogerii, Siciliae comitis—nunc vero seiunctim, nunc vero segregatim, prout quos fecerunt—nos scripturos repromisimus, limpidioris poÎtriae si esset mihi unda, aestuandum foret, ut res, quae in seipsis nobili memoria clarent, nobilioris philosophi penna chirografaret, ne limpidissimus liquor, dum ad hauriendum porrigitur, foetore incultioris vasis etiam ab ipsis sitientibus abhorreatur. Sed, quoniam non omnes aureis fistulis, paupertate prohibente, ad potandum utimur, interdum plumbea fistula, dulcis liquor usque satis degustaturi. Unde et lector quisquis historiae seriem perscrutari tentat, non phalerata verborum commenta, sed pompales triumphos memorandorum virorum attendat.

Since indeed we have promised to write the arduous affairs and the clear triumphs of two grandees—namely Guiscard the duke and Roger, count of Sicily—now indeed separately, now apart, according as they performed them, if there were to me a wave of more limpid poetry, it would be necessary to grow heated, so that the deeds which in themselves shine with noble memory might be hand-written by the pen of a more noble philosopher, lest the most limpid liquor, while it is extended for drawing, be loathed even by the thirsty themselves because of the stench of a more uncultivated vessel. But since, poverty forbidding, we do not all use golden pipes for drinking, at times by a leaden pipe we are still about to taste the sweet liquor enough. Whence also let any reader who attempts to scrutinize the sequence of the history attend not to phalerated (bedecked) commentaries of words, but to the processional triumphs of men to be remembered.

Quae enim inseruntur, non meae vel tuae laudi, sed illorum, qui faciendo meruere, subtitulantur.

For the things that are inserted are subtitled not to my praise or yours, but to those who, by doing, have merited.

Sed quoniam ex edicto principis tempus scribendi imminet, quod neglegendo hactenus minus potatum est, ad fontem quo hauriam, unde limpidius eructetur, recurrere ipsius principis urgens festinantia prohibet.

But since by the edict of the prince the time for writing impends, which by neglect has hitherto been less imbibed, the prince’s own urging hastiness forbids me to run back to the fountain whence I might draw, from which it might be eructated more limpidly.

I. Igitur famosissimus Siciliae princeps, Rogerius, duce frate, expeditione—postquam Panormum adeptus est—soluta, a Sicilia versus Calabriam et Apuliam, ut suas utilitates exse queretur, digredien e, in Sicilia remanens, exercitus recedentis fratris minimam partem praemiis, promissionibusque illiciens, ex consensu eiusdem ducis sibi retinuit. Siciliamque debellare ex omni parte aggrediens, iugi incursione non minimum lacessivit; et quamvis hactenus dum in his, quae adquirebat, cum fratre participaturus, ad plenum strenue egerit, nunc cuncta, quae adquireret, suae sorti cedere certus, quasi leo exhauriens praedaeque avidus, quietis impatiens, omnia circumire, periculosioribus incoeptis primus adesse, nihil intentatum relinquere patiebatur. Anno Dominicae incarnationis MLXXII, duo castella, unum apud Paternionem ad infestandam Cathaniam, alterum vero apud Mazariam ad debellandam adiacentem provinciam firmavit.

1. Therefore the most famous prince of Sicily, Roger, his brother the duke leading, the expedition—after he had gained Panormus—being disbanded, as his brother departed from Sicily toward Calabria and Apulia, that he might pursue his own advantages, he himself remaining in Sicily, enticed by rewards and promises a very small part of his brother’s departing army, and with the consent of that same duke retained it for himself. And setting himself to subdue Sicily on every side, by continual incursion he provoked it not a little; and although hitherto, since he was going to share with his brother in those things which he acquired, he acted strenuously to the full, now, assured that all which he should acquire would fall to his own lot, like a lion and greedy for prey, impatient of rest, he used to range everywhere, to be first present at more dangerous undertakings, and to allow nothing to be left unattempted. In the year of the Lord’s incarnation 1072, he strengthened two castles, one near Paternion to harass Catania, and the other indeed near Mazaria to subdue the adjacent province.

Dux vero a Sicilia in Calabriam veniens, apud Russanum, eiusdem provinciae urbem, dolentibus incolis, castellum firmavit.

But the duke, coming from Sicily into Calabria, at Russanum, a city of the same province, with the inhabitants grieving, fortified a castle.

II. Gisulfus ergo, Salernitanus princeps, frater Sigelgaytae, uxoris Guiscardi ducis, omnes maritimos fines a Salerno usque ad portum, qui Fici dicitur, Arecumque et Sanctam Euphemiam sui iuris esse volens, et partem a Guiscardo diatim pervadi audiens, versus ducem inimicitias iniecit: omnesque ei adhaerentes, quos capere poterat, contumeliis deturpans, nostrae genti sese inimicari non abscondebat. Dux autem Guiscardus, qui amicitiam sibi promiserat, primum quidem patienter ferens, legatis ait, ut ab ipso incoepto resipiscat, convenire. At, ubi videt conceptam animo principis malitiam, quanto plus lenire tentabat, eo amplius in deterius excrescere, foedere, quod inter eos erat, renunciato, inimicanti sibi etiam ipse insedabiles inimicitias parat.

2. Therefore Gisulfus, the Salernitan prince, brother of Sigelgaita, the wife of Duke Guiscard, wishing all the maritime boundaries from Salerno as far as the port which is called Fici, and Arecum and Saint Euphemia, to be of his own right, and hearing that a part was being day by day invaded by Guiscard, cast enmities toward the duke; and all who adhered to him, whom he could seize, defacing with contumelies, he did not hide that he was hostile to our nation. But Duke Guiscard, who had promised friendship to him, at first indeed bearing it patiently, said by envoys to convene, that he should come to his senses from that very undertaking. But when he sees that the malice conceived in the prince’s mind, the more he tried to soothe it, the more it swelled for the worse, the pact which was between them having been renounced, he too prepares implacable enmities against the one hostile to himself.

Sed quia inter se et Ricardum, principem Aversae, inimicitiae efferbuerant, veritus ne ab ipso Gisulfo adversum se succurreretur, pacem cum ipso fecit: quo in sui adiutorium quibusdam pactionibus conducto, Salernum multis copiis obsessum vadit.

But because enmities had boiled over between himself and Richard, prince of Aversa, fearing lest aid should be brought against him by Gisulf himself, he made peace with him; and, with him hired into his aid by certain pactions, he goes to besiege Salerno with many forces.

III. Malfitani vero Gisulfum exosum habentes—timebant quippe ab ipso puniri, eo quod interfectores patris ipsius, dum eos ad subiugandum sibi impugnaret, exstiterant—a duce invitati, ut sibi ad obsidendam urbem navigio servitium veniant, potentiores duci locutum ex consensu reliquorum accelerant. Dux itaque, callidis pactionibus, si assentiant, si autem dissentiant, minis terrendo, attentans, tandem ad confederationem compulit, ut, si contra Gisulfum ab ipso tuerentur, tota Malfa illi subiugata haereditaliter foederaretur.

3. The Amalfitans, however, holding Gisulf in hatred—indeed they feared to be punished by him, because they had turned out to be the killers of his father, while he was attacking them to subjugate them to himself—being invited by the duke to come by ship to render service to him for besieging the city, the more powerful, with the consent of the rest, hasten to speak to the duke. Thus the duke, by crafty pactions—offering terms if they should assent, but, if they should dissent, terrifying with threats—attempting this, at length compelled them into a confederation: namely, that, if they should be defended by him against Gisulf, the whole of Amalfi, brought under his yoke, would be bound to him by treaty hereditarily.

Duce vero omnia, ut expetebant, promittente, parte exercitus ad obsidendam urbem relicta, reliquam secum ducens, cum ipsis, qui inde venerant, apud Malfam vadit. Urbem, sibi a civibus deliberatam, suscipit; quatuor castella in ea facit; militibus suis munit. Inde cum multis Malfitanorum copiis Salernum redit.

With the duke, indeed, promising everything as they desired, with a part of the army left to besiege the city, leading the rest with him, he goes to Malfa with those who had come from there. The city, delivered to him by the citizens, he receives; he makes four castles in it; he fortifies it with his soldiers. Thence with many forces of the Malfitans he returns to Salerno.

Sic deterrebat Malfitanos; si[c e] man[ib]us Guiscardi quomodo evaderet timor Gisulfi?

Thus he was deterring the Amalfitans; thus, from the hands of Guiscard, how would the fear of Gisulf escape?

IV. Dux vero navalibus peditumque copiis, sed et equestri exercitu, Salernum vallans, frequenti incursione congrediens, undique deterrebat: in tantumque attrivit ut, nullo aditu ad victum introducendum, se, suisque negantibus, patente, tantam famem inesse coÎgerit, ut etiam catti vel mures—sicut relatione eorum, qui praesentes adfuerunt, didicimus—a quibusdam introrsum reclusis comesti sint.

4. But the Duke, with naval and infantry forces, and also with an equestrian army, investing Salerno, engaging with frequent incursion, was deterring them on every side: and he so wore them down that, with no access open for introducing victuals, with himself and his own refusing, being the case, he compelled such famine to be present that even cats or mice—just as we learned from the relation of those who were present—were eaten by certain persons shut up inside.

Abagelardus vero, filius Humfredi comitis, nepos videlicet ducis, qui Salernum, propter inimicitias, quas cum duce habebat, propter haereditatem, quae ab ipso sibi detinebatur, in adiutorium Gisulfi introierat, ingruente fame, Salerno clam de nocte digressus, apud Sanctam Severinam, Calabriae urbem, duci infestus fieri secessit. Dux autem, in Siciliam ad fratrem mittens, ut Abagelardum nepotem apud Sanctam Severinam obsessum vadat, non incassum mandavit.

Abagelardus, however, son of Count Humphrey, namely the duke’s nephew, who had entered Salerno in aid of Gisulf on account of the enmities which he had with the duke, and on account of the inheritance which was being detained from him by that very man, with famine pressing in, departed from Salerno secretly by night, and withdrew to Saint Severina, a city of Calabria, to become hostile to the duke. The duke, however, sending into Sicily to his brother, that he should go to besiege his nephew Abagelard at Saint Severina, did not command in vain.

Ipse vero urbis Salernitanae infestationi indivulse persistens, tandem ad deditionem coÎgit. Gisulfo vero, quia frater erat suae collateralis, liberorum suorum avunculus, quocumque vellet abeundi, libertatem dedit. Urbem autem, in sua virtute retinens, castellis et munitionibus pro libitu suo aptavit.

He himself, however, persevering unremittingly in the harassment of the city of Salerno, at length forced it to surrender. To Gisulf, moreover, because he was the brother of his collateral kinswoman, the maternal uncle of his children, he granted the freedom to depart wherever he wished. The city, however, retaining it in his own power, he fitted with castles and fortifications according to his pleasure.

V. [Guiscardus] inde, quietis impatiens, nulloque labore, ubi aliqua spes cuiuslibet lucri designabatur, deficiens, apud Sanctam Severinam, ubi fratrem se praevenire invitaverat, nepotem Abagelardum obsessum vadit. Fratremque, quem ad hoc invitaverat, ab uno latere urbem obsedisse inveniens, ab altero latere ipse consedit. Abagelardus autem, diatim urbe digrediens, nostros ad certamen provocando, dum alternatim fortiter saepeque congreditur, multa militiae congruentia perpetrata sunt.

5. [Guiscardus] thence, impatient of rest, and not failing in any toil wherever some hope of whatever gain was indicated, goes to Santa Severina, where he had invited his brother to go before him, against his nephew Abagelard, besieged. And finding that his brother, whom he had invited for this, had besieged the city from one side, he himself encamped on the other side. But Abagelard, daily going out from the city, by challenging our men to combat, while he engaged by turns bravely and often, many deeds congruent to soldiery were accomplished.

Porro dux, videns se minus in urbem proficere, consilio cum suis habito, tria castella firmavit: unum Hugoni Falloc, alterum Rainaldo de Simula ad urbem infestandam delegavit, tertium autem Herberto, fratri Hugonis, et Custinobardo, fratri dicti Rainaldi. Sicque, expeditione soluta, in Apuliam secessit, ubi non multo post apud Canam, in quodam congressu, Hermannum comitem, fratrem Abagelardi, capiens, Rogerio fratri in turri Melitensi recludendum mittit.

Moreover the duke, seeing that he was making less progress into the city, having held counsel with his own, fortified three castles: he delegated one to Hugh Falloc, another to Renaud of Simula to infest the city, but the third to Herbert, brother of Hugh, and to Custinobard, brother of the said Renaud. And so, the expedition dissolved, he withdrew into Apulia, where not long after, at Cana, in a certain encounter, taking Count Hermann, brother of Abagelard, he sends him to his brother Roger to be shut up in the Melitensian tower.

VI. Qui dum in vinculis obscuro carcere cruciaretur, Abagelardus, fraterna compassione tactus, pactionem cum duce, ut, urbem sibi reddens, fratrem recipiat, facit. Duce itaque, hac calliditate illum deludendo, fidem dante, ut, cum apud Garganum venirent—sic enim castrum quoddam dicebatur—, fratrem sibi a captione liberum redderet, ille incautus, verba argumentosa minime advertens, urbe digrediens duci eam reddit. Sicque cum ipso aliquantisper commoratus, fratris redditionem frustra suspicabatur.

6. While he was being tormented in chains in a dark prison, Abagelardus, touched by fraternal compassion, makes a pact with the duke, that, by yielding the city to him, he might receive back his brother. Accordingly the duke, by this cleverness deluding him, gives his pledge that, when they should come to Garganum—for thus a certain castle was called—he would restore his brother to him free from capture; he, incautious, paying no attention at all to the artfully worded terms, departs from the city and returns it to the duke. And thus, having lingered with him for a little while, he was vainly expecting the brother’s restoration.

At, cum Russanum ventum est, asperius cum duce, quod nimium protraheretur, sermonem habuit; versus Garganum ut iter acceleret, hortatur. Cum ecce dux dolum aperit: infra septem futuros annos se illuc, quo dixerat, non iturum asserit. Ille sic calliditate verbi se circumventum animadvertens, plurimum cum duce altercatus, irato animo discedens in Apuliam, castro sancti Agadii seditiosus sese cum suis recepit.

But, when they came to Russanum, he had a somewhat harsher conversation with the duke, because it was being too much protracted; turning toward Garganum he urges that he accelerate the journey. When behold, the duke reveals the trick: he asserts that within the next seven years he will not go thither, to the place he had said. He, thus noticing himself to have been circumvented by the cleverness of the wording, after much altercation with the duke, departing in anger into Apulia, seditiously withdrew himself with his own into the castle of Saint Agadius.

Dux itaque, sciens illum ad hoc niti, ut totam Apuliam versus se pro posse commoveat, exercitu excitato, illum insequens, obsessum vadit. Sed castro natura, munitione, defensalibus firmissimo, cum diutius in oppugnando persisteret, ipsis, qui intra erant, fortiter a gentibus, plus damno suorum perturbabatur, quam versus castrum proficeret.

The duke therefore, knowing that he strove for this, that he might, as far as he could, stir up all Apulia against him, with the army aroused, pursuing that man, goes to besiege him. But as the castle was most firm by nature, by fortification, and by defensive means, although he persisted longer in assaulting, since those who were inside were being bravely supported by their peoples, he was more troubled by the loss of his own men than he advanced against the castle.

Abagelardi autem de amissione fratris dolor in dies excrescebat; neque enim vincula, quibus frater artabatur, ipsum haud secus ac illum ex recordatione angebant. Unde et frequentius casus fratris quibusdam pactionibus meliorare attentans, vix tandem obtinuit ut, castro reddito, fratrem recipiens, quorsum liberet, abscedere liceret.

Moreover, Abagelardus’s dolor over the loss of his brother was increasing from day to day; for the chains by which the brother was constrained afflicted him, by recollection, no less than they did the brother himself. Whence also, more frequently attempting to ameliorate his brother’s case by certain pactions, he at last scarcely obtained that, the castle having been returned, on receiving his brother back, he might be permitted to depart whither he pleased.

Sicque, fratre recepto, pariter discedentes, mari transmeato, ad imperatorem Constantinopolitanum transeunt. Ubi et ultimos dies clauserunt.

And thus, with the brother recovered, departing together, the sea traversed, they pass over to the Constantinopolitan emperor. Where also they closed their last days.

VII. Famosissimus ergo Siciliae princeps et debellator, Rogerius, in Sicilia, in omnibus strenue agens, morabatur. Neque enim, aliqua delectatione se retrahente, hostibus absens fieri patiebatur: quippe quem egestas, labor, minae hostis, imminens iugis decertatio, vigiliae, vel aura asperior ab incoepto non deterrebant.

7. Therefore the most famous prince and conqueror of Sicily, Roger, was staying in Sicily, acting strenuously in all things. For he allowed himself by no delectation drawing him back to become absent from his enemies: indeed, want, toil, the menaces of the enemy, the ever-pressing continual contest, vigils, or a harsher breeze did not deter him from his undertaking.

Sed potius, quanto asperitatibus quatiebatur, eo ardentiori constantia, ipsa humano more animo suo innata dominationis cupidine, vincere, quam vinci nitebatur. Et, quamvis omnia cupiens esset, impensius tamen zelo potiendi Castrum-Iohannis angebatur; quod, si adeptus foret, sciebat se, quasi pro flagello, uti ad totam Siciliam pro libitu suo ventilandam. Tali tantoque urguente desiderio, anno incarnati Verbi MLXXIIII, in monte Calataxibet castrum firmavit, quod militibus et reliquis, quae necessaria erant, muniens, Castrum-Iohannis infestissimum redditur.

But rather, the more he was shaken by asperities, by so much with a more ardent constancy, by the desire for domination inborn in his spirit after the human manner, he strove to conquer rather than to be conquered. And, although he was one desiring all things, yet he was tormented more earnestly by a zeal for obtaining Castrum-Iohannis; which, if he should attain, he knew he would use as a scourge, to be brandished against all Sicily at his pleasure. With such and so great a desire pressing, in the year of the Incarnate Word 1074, on Mount Calataxibet he made firm a castle; and, furnishing it with soldiers and with the other things that were necessary, it was rendered most hostile to Castrum-Iohannis.

VIII. Africani ergo Saraceni, de familia regis Temini, ex eius edicto, navibus paratis, piratarum more, vela ventis committentes, maritima litora Siciliae et Calabriae insidiatum vadunt. Sicque, iunio mense, in vigilia Sancti Petri, apud Nicotrum de nocte appulsi, cives incautos et, prae gaudio instantis solemnitatis, vino ex more somnoque gravatos, irruentes opprimunt, semisomnes alios perimunt, alios capiunt, ipsos etiam pueros cum mulieribus, omnique suppellectili vehibili praedam navibus inducunt, castrumque totum incendio concremantes, remige accelerato, in altum recedunt.

8. Therefore African Saracens, of the household of King Temin, by his edict, with ships prepared, in pirates’ manner, committing the sails to the winds, go to lie in wait for the maritime shores of Sicily and Calabria. And so, in the month of June, on the vigil of Saint Peter, having put in by night at Nicotrum, they, rushing in, overwhelm the unsuspecting citizens—who, because of the joy of the impending solemnity, were weighed down by wine according to custom and by sleep—some half-asleep they slay, others they seize; the boys themselves too with the women, and all movable furnishings, they load as booty onto the ships, and, burning the whole fortress to ashes with fire, with the oarsmen hastened, they withdraw into the deep.

In crastinum, ripae proprius accedentes, pueros et imbecilliorem familiam amicis redimere volentibus, pretio accepto, navibus eicientes, partim exonerantur; reliquos, qui alicuius utilitatis videbantur, adducunt. Sicque vela ventis committentes, patrios agros, unde venerant, laeti revisum tendunt.

On the next day, approaching nearer to the banks, to friends wishing to redeem the boys and the weaker household, upon the price being accepted, casting them out from the ships, they are partly unloaded; the rest, who seemed of some utility, they bring along. And so, committing their sails to the winds, they joyfully make toward a revisiting of their native fields, whence they had come.

IX. Anno vero incarnationis Domini MLXXV, quia in praecedenti anno pro libitu sibi favente apud Nicotrum prospere accurrerat, plus necessario cupidine avaritiae insolentes, simile sibi evenire frustra rati, navibus ascensis, versus Siciliam fortunam tentatum navigant. Insulamque circumcurrendo tentantes, tandem apud Mazariam appulsi sunt. Navibus digressi, urbem, magna vi oppugnantes, irrumpunt; castrum autem, quod infra erat, fortiter impugnantibus, per octo dies obsident .

9. In the year of the Incarnation of the Lord 1075, since in the preceding year, at Nicotrum, with things favoring them at their pleasure, it had turned out prosperously, overbold through a cupidity of avarice beyond what was necessary, vainly thinking a like outcome would befall them, having boarded ships, they sail toward Sicily to try their fortune. And, testing the island by running around it, at length they put in at Mazaria. Having disembarked from the ships, assaulting the city with great force, they break in; but the castle, which was within, being stoutly attacked, they besiege for eight days .

Comes vero, per legatum comperto castrum suosque hostibus infestari, clam de nocte, armata manu castrum ingressus, summo diluculo per portas prorumpens, cum hoste in platea urbis ante castellum congreditur, fortiterque ex more agendo, victor efficitur, pluribusque peremptis, reliquos fugientes, extremos quosque usque in mare prosequitur: Mazaria, comitis strenuitate, ab hostibus eripitur . Gemebundus rumor a paucis qui evaserunt, Africae nuntiatur. Sicque rotabilis fortuna, homines primo prosperis successibus alludendo, illectos spe priorum eventuum deceptos risit.

The Count, indeed, having learned through a legate that the fortress and his men were being infested by enemies, secretly by night, having entered the fortress with an armed band, at the very daybreak bursting forth through the gates, engages with the enemy in the street of the city before the castle, and, acting bravely according to custom, is made victor, and with many slain, he pursues the rest as they flee, every last of them even to the sea: Mazara, by the strenuousness of the count, is snatched from the enemies . A groaning rumor, by the few who escaped, is announced to Africa. And thus rolling Fortune, by playing with men at first with prosperous successes, laughed at them, lured by the hope of earlier outcomes, deceived.

X. Comes vero, quibusdam necessitatibus se vocantibus, a Sicilia versus Calabriam digrediens, Hugoni de Gircaea, cui, propter strenuitatem, quam habebat—nam et praeclari generis a Cenomanensi provincia erat—cum filia sua de priore uxore Cathaniam dederat, totam Siciliam servandam delegavit, interdicens ne, si Bernarvet, quia vicinius sibi Syracusis morabatur, aliquem incursum versus se faceret, callidas eius versutias cavens, nusquam urbe digrediens, hostem persequeretur.

10. But the Count, certain necessities calling him, departing from Sicily toward Calabria, entrusted the whole of Sicily to be kept to Hugh of Gircaea, to whom—on account of the prowess that he had (for he was also of illustrious stock from the Cenomanensian province)—he had bestowed Catania along with his daughter by his earlier wife; forbidding that, if Bernarvet, since he was dwelling nearer to him at Syracuse, should make any incursion against him, guarding against his clever wiles, he should in no way, by departing from the city, pursue the enemy.

Sed iuvenilis animus, militia fervens et laudis avidus, quod sibi interdictum erat minus servans, ad hoc niti coepit, ut ante reditum comitis aliquod nobile facinus, unde militarem laudem mereretur, perpetraret. Unde et Traynam usque progrediens, Iordanum, comitis filium, cum familiari militia comitis secum Cathaniam adduxit.

But a juvenile spirit, fervent in soldiery and avid of praise, observing less what had been interdicted to him, began to strive for this: that before the count’s return he might perpetrate some noble deed, whence he might merit military praise. Whence also, advancing as far as Trayna, he brought Jordan, the count’s son, together with the count’s household soldiery, with him to Catania.

Porro Bernarvet, magno electorum militum exercitu congregato, de nocte accedens, haud procul a Cathania, in abditis locis insidiis occultatur, triginta militibus Cathaniam usquc praemissis, qui eos ad certamen excitatos, fugiendo longius ab urbe protraherent. Hugo vero et Iordanus, militia ferventes, suos ad certamen cohortando, urbe cum magno impetu digrediuntur; trigintaque electos milites insidias speculatum mittentes, ipsi incautius insequi accelerant. Porro, speculatoribus praecedentibus, locum insidiarum transgressi, dum a subsequentibus usque perventum est, illi ab insidiis prorumpentes, hostibus horribili turbine insurgunt.

Moreover Bernarvet, a great army of chosen soldiers having been assembled, approaching by night, not far from Catania, hides himself in ambush in concealed places, with thirty soldiers sent on ahead as far as Catania, who, after rousing them to combat, by fleeing would draw them farther from the city. But Hugh and Jordan, fervent in soldiery, exhorting their men to the contest, depart from the city with great impetus; and sending thirty chosen soldiers to reconnoiter the ambush, they themselves heedlessly hasten in pursuit. Then, the scouts going before, having passed beyond the place of the ambush, while those following after came up to it, they, bursting forth from the ambush, rush upon the enemy with a horrible whirlwind.

Itaque qui praecesserant, insidias a tergo videntes, nec ad socios, hostibus interpositis, regredi posse, Paternionem fugientes evadunt. Nostri vero dum fortiter congredi nituntur, Hugo, comitis gener, cum pluribus occiditur; Iordanus autem, hostes ferre non valens, cum paucis Cathaniam elabitur. Bernarvet laetus cum spoliis Syracusiam regreditur.

Therefore those who had gone ahead, seeing the ambush from the rear, and not able to return to their comrades, the enemies being interposed, flee and make their escape to Paterno. But our men, while they strive to engage bravely, Hugo, the count’s son-in-law, is slain together with several; Jordan, however, not able to bear the enemies, slips away with a few to Catania. Bernarvet, rejoicing, returns to Syracuse with the spoils.

Comes itaque, rumorem huiuscemodi per legatum cognoscens, reditum accelerat. Exercito itaque adversus Bernarvet commoto, castrum, quod Zotica dicebatur, oppugnans, funditus destruit, viros perimit, foeminas in Calabriam venditum mittit, anno incarnati Verbi MLXXVI. Sed quia animus principis, dolore generi interfecti, ad mentis debilitationem pene infectus, nisi maiori vindicta sanari minime poterat; ampliorem vindictam expetens, usque ad provinciam Notense m profectus, ita omnia exterminavit, ut etiam ipsas messes—tempus enim triturae instabat—, quia asportare non poterat, penitus igni combusserit. Quod etiam passim per diversa Siciliae loca facere addens, maximam egestatem ipso anno eidem insulae incussit:

The count, therefore, learning a rumor of this kind through a legate, hastens his return. Therefore, with the army stirred up against Bernarvet, assaulting the castle which was called Zotica, he destroys it to the foundations, kills the men, sends the women into Calabria to be sold, in the year of the Incarnate Word 1076. But because the spirit of the prince, by the grief for his son-in-law slain, being almost infected to a debilitation of mind, could in no way be healed unless by a greater vengeance; seeking ampler vengeance, having proceeded as far as the province of Noto, he so exterminated everything that even the crops themselves— for the time of threshing was at hand—, because he could not carry them away, he burned utterly with fire. Adding to do this also everywhere through diverse places of Sicily, he struck very great destitution in that very year upon the same island:

Nascitur ergo fames, quia sustulit ultio panes.
XI. Anno Verbi incarnati transacto millesimo
Adiectoque super mille septies undecimo,
Expeditionem movet comes, mense maio:
Naves vela dant per aequor, suffiragante zephiro.
Aera sonant, buccinando pontus plaudit iubilo:
Classis magni Alexandri non fuit hac pulchrior.

Therefore famine is born, because vengeance has taken away the loaves.
11. In the year of the incarnate Word, the thousand having elapsed,
and with seven times eleven added over the thousand,
the count sets an expedition in motion, in the month of May:
the ships give their sails over the level sea, with the Zephyr favoring.
The brasses resound; with trumpeting the deep applauds with jubilation:
the fleet of great Alexander was not more beautiful than this.

Aura ridet cum fortuna; pubes gaudet bellica;
Citharizant ad hoc docti; resonant et tympana.
Trablas itur oppugnatum: nil tumescunt aequora.
Sed transcendit equitatu comes, fronte belliea,
Montium scopulosorum ima, sive ardua,
Bellicosae iuventutis multa fultus copia.

The breeze smiles along with Fortune; the warlike youth rejoices;
the skilled to this play the cithara; and the tympana resound as well.
They go to assault Tripoli: the seas swell not at all.
But the Count crosses over with cavalry, with a bellicose front,
the low-lying places of craggy mountains, or the steep heights,
supported by a great abundance of bellicose youth.

Clipeos, auro fulgentes, et splendentes galeas
Sol cum tangit, intuentum aciem reverberat.
Montes omnes splendescunt super clara sidera.
Equi fremunt; dant hinnitus; echo montes resonant.

The shields, shining with gold, and the splendent helmets
Sun, when it touches them, reverberates the gaze of the beholder.
All the mountains glisten beyond the bright stars.
The horses snort; they give whinnies; Echo makes the mountains resound.

Mille, flante aura levi, vexilla subventilant.
Horrido aspectu satis versus Trablas properant;
Hostes vident: exhorrescunt hanc armorum nebulam.
Terra, ponto sonant tubae, ut metum incutiant;
Clamor usque coelum pulsat.

A thousand standards flutter, the light breeze blowing.
With a horrid aspect enough, they hasten toward Trablas;
The enemies see: they shudder at this cloud of arms.
On land and on the sea the trumpets sound, to strike fear;
The clamor beats up to heaven.

Hostes infra trepidant.
Urbem vallant circumquaque aequore, vel arida.
Nautae velis obumbrantur, terrae figunt anchoras;
Equitum pars fron[t]es caedit; pars figunt tentoria.

The enemies down below tremble.
They wall-in the city on every side, by sea or on dry land.
The sailors are shaded by the sails, they fasten their anchors to the land;
A part of the cavalry cut fronds; a part pitch their tents.

Crebro currunt ad certamen: fortiter congreditur.
Hostis nisus repugnare, plurimum colliditur.
Castro luctus post certamen, nostris lyra addittur.

They often run to the contest: he engages bravely.
The enemy, striving to resist, is battered very greatly.
In the camp there is mourning after the contest; for our men, the lyre is added.

Hostes, viribus diffisi, tandem pacem expetunt.
Cedit comes. Castrum reddunt; ditioni subeunt.

The enemies, diffident of their strength, at last seek peace.
The Count cedes. They give back the castle; they submit to dominion.

Foederantur more suo, sed dolentes faciunt.

They are federated according to their custom, but they do so grieving.

Ab hac eadem urbe strictior sinus terrae ab utroque latere, mari urgente, longius in mare porrigitur, pascuis uberrimis abundans. Ibi armenta et caetera urbis animalia hostili tempore pasci consueverant; quo, cum ex more, propter instantes hostes, diatim exirent, nostri, brevi sinu interposito, conspicientes, coeperunt, ut in tali gente assolet, aviditate ea, si aliquo astu queant, adipiscendi agitari.

From this same city a narrower promontory of land, with the sea pressing on either side, stretches farther out into the sea, abounding in most rich pastures. There the herds and the other animals of the city were accustomed to graze in hostile time; whither, when, according to custom, on account of the pressing enemies, they went out day by day, our men, a short inlet intervening, observing, began—as is wont with such a people—to be stirred with avidity to acquire them, if by some stratagem they might be able.

Iordanus vero, filius comitis, ad id negotium peragendum intentionem certius apponens, ut hanc sibi famam militariter prae caeteris acquireret, agebat. Tandem itaque—ut erat vir praesumptuosissimus et laudis avidus—, cum sibi familiaribus consilio habito, quodam vespere centum sibi milites eligens, patre inconsulto, naves ascendit: de nocte insulam pervadit, applicans navibus digreditur; in concavitate quadam eiusdem insulae, antequam illucescat, occultatur insidiis. At ubi, nocte recedente, sol irradians terris illuxit, tota civitas praedicta, ex more urbe digrediens, pascendi gratia ipsam insulam sparsim preoccupat.

Jordan, indeed, the count’s son, applying his intention more surely to carry through that business, acted so that he might acquire for himself this fame militarily before the rest. Therefore at length—as he was a most presumptuous man and avid for praise—, after counsel had been held with his intimates, on a certain evening, choosing for himself one hundred soldiers, with his father not consulted, he boarded the ships: by night he makes his way to the island, bringing the ships to land he disembarks; in a certain concavity of the same island, before it grows light, he hides in ambush. But when, night receding, the sun, irradiating the lands, shone forth, the whole aforesaid city, departing from the city according to custom, for the sake of pasturing preoccupies that very island here and there.

Porro Iordanus, ubi in insidiis occultabatur, praedam longius ab urbe progressam conspiciens, impetu leonino a loco prorupit, usque in portam urbis praedam colligens prosilit, navibus introducendam illorsum minare accelerat. Cives itaque, insulam suam ex insperato hostibus pervasam videntes, in arma ruunt: maximo impetu usque ad decem millia ab urbe prorumpunt; hostes, ut praedam excutiant, inconsulte prosequuntur. Nam, ubi Iordanus eos longius ab urbe progressos videt, spreta praeda, leonina ferocitate hostibus occurrit; congressuque facto, acerrime utrimque pugnatur.

Moreover, Jordan, while he was concealed in ambush, seeing the prey gone farther from the city, with leonine impetus burst forth from the place, and, gathering the booty even up to the city gate, he leapt forward; he hastens to drive it thither to be brought onto the ships. The citizens therefore, seeing their island unexpectedly overrun by enemies, rush to arms: with the greatest impetus up to ten thousand pour out from the city; to shake off the booty they, without counsel, give chase. For when Jordan sees them advanced farther from the city, the booty being scorned, he meets the enemies with leonine ferocity; and, the encounter having been joined, it is fought most sharply on both sides.

Sed Iordanus, ut erat in congressibus foecundissimus, suos verbis exhortatoriis prorumptiores reddens, fortiter agendo plures sternit, reliquos fugat, victor efficitur, quosque caedendo usque ad portam urbis prosequitur. Sicque ad naves regrediens, maxima praeda licenter introducta, ad patrem impune cum triumphali laude redit. Hac re urbs, quasi maxime territa, ad deditionem, ut diximus, compulsa est.

But Jordan, as he was most successful in engagements, making his men more forward by exhortatory words, by acting bravely lays many low, puts the rest to flight, becomes the victor, and, hewing them down, pursues them all the way to the city’s gate. And so, returning to the ships, with a very great booty brought in freely, he returns to his father with impunity and with triumphal praise. By this affair the city, as if exceedingly terrified, was, as we said, compelled to surrender.

Comes itaque, urbem nactus, pro libitu suo castro et caeteris munitionibus ordinat, militibus et iis, quae necessaria erant, munit, turribus et propugnaculis undique vallans. Sed undique adiacens provincia firmissimis castris circumsepta, munitissima erat; et ideo, adhuc recalcitrans, rebellabat. Comes laboris indeficiens, crebris incursionibus, ut sibi omnia substernat, infestare congreditur; brevique termino usque ad duodecim famosissima castra suo dominio, obsidendo, subire coÎgit: quae militibus suis distribuens, cum omnibus appendiciis suis de se habenda delegavit.

The Count, therefore, having gained the city, arranges the castle and the other fortifications at his good pleasure, fortifies them with soldiers and with the things that were necessary, ramparting them on every side with towers and battlements. But the province adjoining on every side, encircled by the strongest camps, was most fortified; and therefore, still recalcitrant, it was rebelling. The Count, indefatigable in labor, with frequent incursions, in order that he might lay everything under himself, sets about to harry; and within a short span he compelled up to 12 most renowned forts, by besieging, to come under his dominion: which, distributing to his soldiers, he delegated to be held of himself with all their appurtenances.

Sicque exercitum, omnibus pro exhibito sibi servitio gratias agendo, solvens, ipse apud Bicarum i a labore pausatum secessit.

And thus, disbanding the army, giving thanks to all for the service exhibited to him, he himself withdrew at Bicarum to rest from labor.

XII. Ea tempestate quidam saracenus, Bechus nomine, Castrum-novum possidens, illic morabatur. Erat autem idem vir magnae superfluitatis et arrogantiae, unde et ipsos suos fideles levitate sua, interdum diversis contumeliis afficiens, sibi infideliores reddebat.

12. At that time a certain Saracen, Bechus by name, possessing Castrum-novum, was staying there. Moreover, this same man was of great superfluity and arrogance, whence also, by his levity—sometimes afflicting his own faithful with diverse contumelies—he was rendering them less faithful to himself.

Hic quadam die cuidam molendinario suo iratus, ante se invitans, verberibus deturpavit. Porro ille se adeo grave ferre dissimulans, in vindictam tantae dehonestationis animum intendens, secum tacitus aiebat, quibus artibus, vel damno rerum suarum, vel certe laesione corporis vicissitudinem recompensaret. Unde accidit ut, quodam vespere, de subiacentibus complices sibi alligans, petram quandam, quae omni castro supereminebat et dominabatur, irrumpens, pervaserit; legatumque apud Bicarum comiti mittens, in sua fidelitate se ita egisse et ut sibi succurrere acceleret, mandat.

Here, on a certain day, angry at one of his millers, summoning him before himself, he disfigured him with beatings. Moreover, that man, dissembling that he bore it so grievously, directing his mind to vengeance for so great a dishonoration, said quietly to himself by what arts he might recompense in turn, either by damage to his (the lord’s) goods, or at least by injury to his body. Whence it befell that, on a certain evening, enlisting accomplices for himself from those dwelling below, breaking into a certain crag which over-topped and dominated the whole castle, he seized it; and, sending a legate to the count at Bicarum, he sends word that he had acted thus in his (the count’s) fealty, and that he should hasten to succor him.

Hoc nuntio comes accepto, plurimum exhilaratus, cum quantis habere poterat, citissimus illorsum intendit. Porro Bechus, molendinarium blanditiis et promissionibus allicens, ut ab incoepto resipiscat, sibi reconciliare satagit; dum minus praevalet, frustra oppugnare nitebatur.

This message having been received by the count, greatly exhilarated, with as many forces as he could muster, he most swiftly directed himself thither. Moreover, Bechus, luring the miller with blandishments and promises, so that he might repent of his undertaking, strove to reconcile him to himself; while he prevailed the less, he was striving in vain to besiege.

Comes vero adventans proprius accedit, molendinarium amplissimis promissionibus in sui fidelitate arrigit. Ille, cum nulla ex parte aditus ad se accendendi nostris pateret, fune ab alto dimissa, quosdam nostrorum ad se pertrahit. Bechus itaque, videns nostros a molendinario ad petram susceptos, spe retinendi castri amissa, territus, castro spreto, omnia, quae poterat, asportans, aufugit.

But the count, arriving, comes nearer, and with very ample promises wins over the miller into his fealty. He, since on no side did there lie open to our men any access of ascending to him, with a rope let down from above draws up some of our men to himself. Bechus, therefore, seeing our men received by the miller onto the rock, the hope of retaining the castle lost, terrified, the castle spurned, carrying off everything he could, fled away.

Cives, cum comite pacem facientes, infra castrum recipiunt.

The citizens, making peace with the count, receive him within the castle.

Comes vero, sic castro potitus, pro velle suo muniens, ordinat; molendinarium, ut caeteris ad similes artes exequendas exemplum tribuat, pluribus benefactis, libertate etiam concessa, remunerat.

The Count, indeed, thus having gotten possession of the castle, fortifying it according to his will, sets things in order; the miller, that he may furnish to the others an example for executing similar arts, he remunerates with many benefactions, liberty also conceded.

XIII. Eodem anno graecus quidam sub nomine MichaÎlis, imperatoris Constantinopolitani, ad ducem in Apuliam venit, auxilium expetens ad palatium recuperandum , a quo, ut dicebat, fraude suorum, in die sancto Parasceve deiectus fuerat monachusque violenter fieri compulsus, hoc solo crimine obiecto, quod filiam ducis filio suo nuptui acceperat . Ipse quoque filius, ne spes aliqua recuperandi palatii vel deductae uxoris procreandae propaginis reservaretur, turpiter eunuchizatus, usque ad exitum vitae exilio relegatus est: alio in loco expulsi in palatio subrogato, quem nec aliqua vel extrema antiquorum imperatorum linea ad id haereditatis iure gentium invitaverat. Timebant denique Graeci, ne si ex nostrae gentis uxore haeredes procreati in palatio subcrescerent, occasio liberius illuc accedendi nostrae genti daretur; et gens, deliciis at voluptatibus, potiusquam belli studiis ex more dedita, nostrorum strenuitate subiugata conculcaretur . Ipsam ducis filiam reclusam diligenti custodia observabant, ne forte si alicui potenti nuberet, quia haereditali imperatori nupta semel in palatio coronata fuerat, ab ipso, cui nuberet, aliqua haereditas per ipsam in palatio proclamaretur.

13. In the same year a certain Greek by the name of Michael, the emperor of Constantinople, came to the duke into Apulia, seeking aid for recovering the palace , from which, as he said, by the fraud of his own people, on the holy day Parasceve (Good Friday) he had been cast down and compelled by force to be made a monk, this sole crime being alleged against him, that he had accepted the duke’s daughter in marriage for his own son . The son himself also, lest any hope of recovering the palace or of offspring being begotten from the wife led home should be reserved, was shamefully made a eunuch, and relegated into exile until the end of life: another, in the place of the expelled, having been substituted in the palace, whom neither any line, even the remotest, of the ancient emperors had invited to that by the right of inheritance according to the law of nations. The Greeks, in fine, feared lest, if from a wife of our race heirs begotten should grow up in the palace, an occasion might be given more freely to our race of approaching thither; and the nation, given to delights and pleasures rather than, according to custom, to the pursuits of war, being subdued by the strenuousness of our men, would be trampled underfoot . They were keeping the duke’s daughter herself shut up, watching her with diligent custody, lest perchance if she should marry some powerful man, because she had once been married to the hereditary emperor and crowned in the palace, some inheritance in the palace should be proclaimed by the very one to whom she would marry through her.

MichaÎl itaque a monasterio, in quo monachus coactus erat, habitu deiecto, ut dicebat, profugus in Apuliam veniens, a duce imperiali honore susceptus, per omnes civitates Apuliae, sive Calabriae, processionibus et imperialibus pompis ex edicto eiusdem ducis accuratissime obsecundatur: et hoc quidem totum ex industria dux faciebat, non quod animum eum in palatio restituendi haberet. Audierat nempe generum suum eunuchizatum, unde, spe suscipiendae de filia parentis prolis, cui palatium iure haereditali competeret, amissa, ad hoc inter se nitens tacitus agebat, ut sub nomine MichaÎlis, quibusdam sibi faventibus, Graecis facilius debellatis, cum ad palatium usque perventum foret, vi coronam cum sceptro et imperialibus ornamentis pervadens, ipse imperator fieret. Promittens tamen se sibi auxlilium laturum, per duos ferme et eo amplius annos honore, quo coeperat, eum secum detinuit, donec ea, quae tanto incoeptui necessaria forent, apparabantur.

Michael therefore, from the monastery in which he had been compelled to be a monk, with his habit cast off, as he said, coming as a fugitive into Apulia, was received by the duke with imperial honor; through all the cities of Apulia, or Calabria, by processions and imperial pomps, in accordance with the edict of that same duke, the most scrupulous compliance was rendered: and indeed the duke was doing all this by design, not because he had the mind to restore him in the palace. For he had heard that his son-in-law had been made a eunuch, whereupon, the hope of receiving from his daughter offspring of the parent to whom the palace would, by hereditary right, belong being lost, striving for this he quietly worked among his own, that under the name of Michael, with certain persons favoring him, the Greeks being more easily warred down, when it should have been come even to the palace, by force seizing the crown with the scepter and the imperial ornaments, he himself might be made emperor. Nevertheless promising that he would bring help to him, for almost two years and even more he detained him with himself in the honor with which he had begun, until the things which would be necessary for so great an inception were being prepared.

Erant autem tunc etiam quidam cum duce, qui, in palatio tempore Michaelis imperatoris servientes, faciem eius se novisse et hunc similem illi minime, vel in modico, assimilari dicerent, sed fraudulenter hunc spe alicuius a duce accipiendi muneris advenisse. Porro dux, utrum ne an pro certo esset, aequipendens, cum multus susurrus inter suos super tali negotio fieret, ab incoepto minime detrahebatur; sed potius quod coeperat exequens, cum ipse non esse hunc dubitaret, nil de hac re dubitare asserebat; et hoc ex industria quidem laudans suos faciebat, ne ab ipsis ab incoepto dehortaretur.

There were, however, at that time also certain men with the duke who, having served in the palace in the time of Emperor Michael, said that they knew his face and that this man was by no means, not even in the least, similar to that one, but had come fraudulently in the hope of receiving some reward from the duke. Moreover, the duke, weighing evenly whether it were not so or for certain, while much whispering arose among his own about such a business, was by no means drawn away from his undertaking; but rather, executing what he had begun, although he himself doubted that this was he, he asserted that he doubted nothing about this matter; and this he did by design, praising his own men, lest he be dissuaded by them from the undertaking.

XIV. Talia disponens, tacita sed mente reponens,
Sumptibus insudat, quo Byzantium sibi ludat.
Undique terrarum quaerit spem materiarum:
Nulla remittuntur, nec rustica despiciuntur.

14. Disposing such things, yet storing them away in a tacit mind,
He sweats at expenses, so that he may play Byzantium to his own advantage.
From every land he seeks the prospect of materials:
Nothing is remitted, nor are rustic things despised.

Sed prodesse querunt, quae iam despecta fuerunt.
Ligni caesores mandantur in arte priores:
Undique terrarum conducitur ars tabularum.
Robora caesa cadunt; resecantur; sectaque radunt
Artifices ligni.

But they say that those things which had already been despised are useful.
The hewers of wood are commissioned, foremost in the art:
From every quarter of the lands the art of planks is contracted.
The felled oaken timbers fall; they are trimmed; and, the cut pieces, they shave
Artificers of wood.

Ferrum faber applicat igni.
Anchora conflatur, clavorum forma paratur.
Compago navis texitur superaddita clavis.

The smith applies the iron to the fire.
An anchor is cast, the form of nails is prepared.
The compage of the ship is woven, with nails superadded.

Obducunt imas alii lanugine rimas,
Atque picem liquidam properant superaddere quidam.
Vela sinunt isti, studium dant funibus isti.
Classis adaptatur, non navis sola paratur.

Others coat the lowest crevices with downy fiber,
And some hasten to superadd liquid pitch.
These let out the sails, these devote effort to the ropes.
The fleet is fitted out; not one ship alone is prepared.

Crescat ut in numeros studiosius imminet heros.
Omnibus aptatis et navibus arte paratis,
Per liquidum pontum classis conflatur Ydrontum.

That it may grow in numbers, the hero more zealously presses on.
With everything fitted and the ships prepared by art,
Across the liquid sea the fleet is assembled to Hydruntum.

XV. Interim dum ista aguntur, anno Domini instante MLXXVIIII, comes, Tauromenium obsidens, viginti duobus castellis vallavit, ita ab uno in alterum sepibus et stropibus claudens, sed et navalibus copiis a procinctu maris cingens, ut nullo latere pateret aditus ad castrum, volentibus hostibus aliquid introducendi vel educendi. At, dum quadam die de castro ad castrum per praecipitia scopulosi montis comes visum transiret cum paucis, pars quaedam Sclavorum inter myrtetica virgulta latitans, in quodam artioris transitus loco prorumpens, irruit. Et nisi Eviscardus quidam, natione Brito, audito strepitu armorum, sese comiti et hostibus interposuisset, de ipso comite, ut aiunt, hostibus triumphus cessisset.

15. Meanwhile, while these things are being done, with the year of the Lord 1079 imminent, the count, besieging Tauromenium, invested it with twenty-two castles, thus, from one to another, closing it with hedges and withes, and also girding it with naval forces from the battle-line of the sea, so that on no side was there an approach open to the fortress for the enemies wishing to bring anything in or lead anything out. But, when on a certain day the count, with a few, was passing for an inspection from fort to fort through the precipices of a rocky mountain, a certain detachment of Slavs, lurking among myrtle thickets, bursting forth at a place where the passage was narrower, charged. And had not a certain Eviscardus, by nation a Briton, on hearing the clatter of arms, interposed himself between the count and the enemies, a triumph, as they say, would have fallen to the enemies over the count himself.

Sed cordium solus inspector, Deus, bonam intentionem principis et praecedentia sive subsequentia per eum futura bona praenotans, aliter, quam illi moliebantur, rem transtulit. Scriptum quippe est: Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.

But God, the sole inspector of hearts, fore-noting the good intention of the prince and the good things that would be through him, whether preceding or subsequent, transferred the matter otherwise than they were contriving. For it is written: There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.

XVI. Eviscardo itaque in domini fidelitate taliter interfecto, dum nostri in arma ruunt, hostes per praecipitia scopulosi montis elapsi sunt. Sic mors Eviscardi vita comitis sub Dei praesidio fuit.

16. With Eviscardus thus slain in fealty to his lord, while our men rush to arms, the enemies slipped away through the precipices of the rocky mountain. Thus the death of Eviscardus was the life of the count under God’s protection.

Comes autem fidelitatem eius honeste remunerans, corpore decenter humato, multa beneficia egenis et sacris locis, pro redemptione animae eius, nec immerito contulit.

The count, honorably recompensing his loyalty, with the body decently buried, conferred many benefactions upon the needy and upon sacred places for the redemption of his soul, and not undeservedly.

Montium autem cacumina cum ipsis vallibus perlustrans, peditum copiis iter faciens, a monte, qui ab incolis Gibel appellatur, quem nos Etnam dicimus, usque Traynam neminem eiusdem superstitionis impunitum dimisit.

However, traversing the summits of the mountains together with the valleys themselves, making a march with forces of infantry, from the mountain which by the inhabitants is called Gibel, which we call Etna, up to Trayna, he left no one of the same superstition unpunished.

Militibus multus planctus fuit, iste sepultus.
Nam, suo merito, carus fuit undique Brito.
Pro merito fidei sortem capiat requiei!

There was much lamentation by the soldiers; this man was buried.
For, by his own merit, the Briton was dear everywhere.
According to the merit of his faith, may he receive the lot of repose!

Cui cum sit ita mors, est comiti data vita.
A Iuda distat, quem tanta fides sibi dicat:
Ille, Deum vendens, laqueo se postea pendens,
Mortem mercatur, cum traditione notatur:
Hostili cultro spes huius se dedit ultro,
Ut dominum servet, meritumque sibi coarcervet.
Non virtute pari debent ii subtitulari.

Since thus death is his lot, life has been given to his companion.
He stands apart from Judas—a man whom such great faith would claim as its own:
That one, selling God, and afterward hanging himself by a noose,
purchases death, and is marked by betrayal;
with an enemy dagger, this man’s hope gave itself of its own accord,
so that he might save his lord, and heap up merit for himself.
They ought not to be subtitled with equal virtue.

Traditor alter erat, ut salvet et alter anhelat.
Angelicam pennam capiet hic, ille gehennam!

The other was a traitor, so that the one saves and the other gasps.
This one will seize the angelic wing, that one Gehenna!

XVII. Quatuordecim ergo naves, quas golafros appellant, ab Africa regis Thimini piratarum more per mare palantes, sub Tauromenio appulsae, quodam diluculo a nostris in mari haud longe, anchoris fixis, conspiciuntur. Nostrae autem naves, armamentis exportatis, minus erant ad exequendum paratae.

17. Fourteen ships therefore, which they call golafri, from Africa of King Thimini, wandering over the sea after the manner of pirates, having put in under Tauromenium, at a certain daybreak are sighted by our men on the sea not far off, with anchors fixed. But our ships, the armaments having been exported, were less prepared to execute.

Comes autem latronem, quinam sint, quave de causa, vel unde hostes, ne an pacem portantes advenerint, sciscitatum mittit; interminando subiunxit, si in tanto sui iuris vel modicum quid iniuriae vel fecissent, vel facere, attentare praesumerent, nusquam impune a se evadere posse.

However, the Count sends to the bandit to inquire who they are, and for what cause, or whence the enemies, and whether they have arrived bearing peace; he added, with threatening, that if within so great an extent of his own jurisdiction they had done even a small something of injury, or should presume to do or to attempt to do it, they could nowhere escape from him with impunity.

Ac dum nil mali adversus ea, quae eius iuris erant, sub excusatione et obtestatione legis suae machinari renuntiantur, sed potius ex edicto regis Thimini, ut infestos piratas a mari, si invenirentur, propellerent, missos, eius famulatui et, si necesse foret, inservire paratos, primi cuiusque navis ad amicum colloquium invitantur, ut si vel victu, vel aliis quibuslibet rebus minus sufficientes essent, eius munificentia supplerentur. Qui dum invitationi assentientes, foedere suscepto, advenire pararent, aura contraria insurgente, naves cum ipsis per aequora pulsae, ab intuitu nostrorum protinus sunt avulsae:

And while they are reported to be contriving nothing evil against those things which were of his jurisdiction, under the excuse and obtestation of their own law, but rather that, by the edict of King Thiminis, they had been sent to drive off infesting pirates from the sea, if they should be found, ready for his service and, if it were necessary, to serve, the foremost men of each ship are invited to a friendly colloquy, so that, if they were less sufficient in victual, or in any other things whatsoever, they might be supplied by his munificence. And they, agreeing to the invitation, a pact having been undertaken, were preparing to come, when, a contrary breeze arising, the ships with them, driven over the waters, were straightway torn away from the sight of our men:

Sic quos invitat, boreas accedere vitat;
     Et quod promisit dare, ne daret aura recisit.
XVIII. At comes intentus fuerat quibus ante retentus:
     Obsidet et pugnat, castrum pro posse repugnat
Certamen datur; comes huc persistere conatur:
     Quamvis cura ligat, tamen hunc res nulla fatigat.

Thus those whom he invites, Boreas prevents from drawing near;
     And what it promised to give, the breeze rescinds, so as not to give it.
18. But the count had been intent upon those by whom earlier he had been held back:
     He besieges and fights; the castle resists to the extent of its power.
The combat is engaged; the count strives to persist here:
     Although care binds, yet no matter wearies him.

Instat et hortatur, hostes virtute minatur;
Dat, dare promittit: nil non tentando remittit.
Ad quod adhortatur socios, prior esse probatur.
Cum sit certamen, et fratribus esse levamen,
Ante suos fertur, cum posteriore refertur.

He presses on and exhorts, he threatens the enemies with valor;
He gives, he promises to give: in attempting he holds back nothing.
To that which he urges his companions, he proves to be first.
When there is a contest, and to be a relief to his brethren,
He is borne before his own, and is brought back with the rearmost.

     Primus ad excubias Othonus alter Elias,
Tertius Arisgotus, Iordanus abinde remotus
     Esse recusavit: socios haec ars animavit.
Exiit edictum, liceat ne quaerere victum;
     Sic devincuntur, nostri statione fruuntur.
A montis magno prohibentur, abundique stagno.

     First for the watches Otho, second Elias,
Third Arisgotus; Jordan, to be removed from there,
     refused: this stratagem animated the comrades.
An edict went forth: let it not be permitted to seek victuals;
     Thus they are overcome, our men enjoy their station.
They are kept from the great mountain, and on every side by the pool.

A nullo subduntur; post addita deminuuntur.
Unde fames crevit, congressus ab hoste quievit:
Decrescit virtus, habet hostis iam prope victus.
Solo securus, quod cingit abundique murus.

By none are they subjected; thereafter the additions are diminished.
Whence hunger grew, the engagement with the enemy rested:
Valor decreases; the enemy now has them almost conquered.
Secure only because a wall encircles on every side.

Ut det congressum, cavet extra figere gressum.
Deficit ut panis, populus superatur inanis.
Sic comes accitur, castro pro velle potitur;
Arbore sub lauri curvantur moenia Tauri.

To give an encounter, he is wary to fix his step outside.
As bread fails, the people, empty, are overcome.
Thus the Count is summoned; he gets possession of the castle as he wishes;
Under a laurel tree the walls of Taurus are bent.

     Foedere confecto, dolet hostis in hoste recepto;
Sed quamvis doleat, non dissimulando revelat,
     Cur doleat nostris, quia laetus erat suus hostis.
Si sic fortuna diversa sit, est tamen una:
     Illis sit tristis, gaudens cognoscitur istis.
Sextus erat mensis, quo fervidus eminet ensis.

     With the pact concluded, the foe grieves at the foe being received;
But although he grieves, by not dissembling he reveals,
     Why he grieves to our men, because his own enemy was glad.
If thus fortune be diverse, yet it is one:
     Let it be sad to those; by these it is recognized as rejoicing.
It was the sixth month, in which the fervid sword stands forth.

Piscibus obsedit servente leone recedit.
XIX. Tanto sibi adiumento collocato divinitus,
Ne appareat ingratus vilipendens Rogerius,
Secum coepit reputare quid litaret potius.

He besieged with fishes; with the lion serving as guardian he withdraws.
19. With so great a help positioned for himself divinely,
Lest Roger appear ungrateful, disparaging it,
He began to reckon with himself what he should rather sacrifice.

     Cementarios conducens, undecumque aggregat:
Templi iacit fundamenta in urbe T[r]aynica.
     Ad quod perstans studiosus aevo brevi superat.
Laquearia tectorum ligantur ecclesiae;
     Parietes depinguntur diverso bitumine;
Consecratur in honore Virginis Puerperae.

     Contracting masons, he aggregates them from everywhere:
He lays the foundations of a temple in the city of T[r]aynica.
     Persisting at this, studious, he in a brief span prevails.
The coffered ceilings of the church’s roofs are fastened;
     The walls are painted with diverse pigments;
It is consecrated in honor of the Virgin Child-bearer.

Multa dote augmentatur, terris sive decimis:
Ornamentis palliatur, et diversis copiis.
Cathedra pontificatus sublimatur infulis.
Sacer clerus augmentatur, prout sumptus suppetit.

With much endowment it is augmented, by lands or by tithes:
It is mantled with ornaments, and with diverse supplies.
The chair of the pontificate is exalted with insignia.
The sacred clergy is increased, in proportion as means suffice.

     Altaris vasa, vel vestis plusquam clero sufficit:
Candelabra, cruces, textus, acerra, turibuli;
     Ex metallo signa fiunt, plebem invitantia:
Melodiam dulcem reddunt, pulchre consonantia.
     Melodizat sacer clerus hymnos sacris laudibus.
Praesul verba sacrae legis seminat in gentibus:
     Divinus cultus accrescitur pluribus credentibus.

     The vessels of the altar, and vesture, more than suffice for the clergy:
Candelabra, crosses, textiles, an incense-box, thuribles;
     From metal, bells are made, inviting the people:
They render sweet melody, beautifully consonant.
     The sacred clergy melodizes hymns with sacred praises.
The prelate sows the words of the sacred law among the peoples:
     Divine worship increases with more believers.

Cui debent haec ascribi nisi tanto principi ?
Qui reduxit sacram legem, unde prius corruit;
Cuius ope fit hoc totum, et hanc legem addidit.
Textum libri persequamur: nam ista sufficiunt.
Sermo nimis inculcatus interdum fit taedium.

To whom ought these things be ascribed if not to so great a prince ?
Who restored the sacred law, whence earlier it had fallen;
By whose aid all this is done, and he added this law.
Let us follow the text of the book: for these suffice.
A discourse too often inculcated sometimes becomes a tedium.

Subsequens stilus narrabit, si quid est residuum.
Urbs Trayna felix, gaude! Da dignas laudes titulo!

The subsequent stylus will narrate, if anything is remaining.
Happy city Trayna, rejoice! Give worthy lauds to the title!

In te primo reparatur divina religio !
Messana consociata pari servit clipeo.

In you first the divine religion is restored!
Messana, consociated, serves with an equal shield.

XX. Incarnati Verbi anno MLXXVIIII Iatenses natura montis, in quo habitabant, in numerosa multitudine suorum fisi,—erant enim usque ad tredecim millia familiarum—iugum nostrae gentis abhorrentes, statutum servitium et censum persolvere renuntiant. Comes vero per legatos eos conveniens, nunc blandimentis eos mulcendo, nunc minis attentando, ne contra se insurgerent, neve per vitium incurrerent, neve eum irritando contra se excitarent, ab incoepto detrahere nitebatur. At ubi minus proficit, exercitu admoto, quos blanditiis vel minis nequit, virtute attentando flectere aggreditur.

20. In the year 1079 of the Incarnate Word the Iatenses, trusting in the nature of the mountain on which they dwelt, in the numerous multitude of their own— for there were up to 13,000 households— abhorring the yoke of our nation, renounce paying the appointed service and census. The count, however, approaching them through legates, now soothing them with blandishments, now attempting them with threats, lest they rise up against him, nor incur fault, nor by provoking him arouse him against themselves, strove to draw them back from their undertaking. But when he profits less, with the army brought up, those whom he cannot bend by blandishments or threats, he undertakes to bend by valor.

Mons autem, quem inhabitabant, ita ab omni latere scopuloso praecipitio erat munitus, ut ex nulla parte ascensus pateret, excepto uno solo arcto arteque exciso aditu, quo civibus egrediendi et ingrediendi iter porrigebatur, et hoc in excelsiori cacumine eiusdem ascensus porta murusque, ex utroque latere in longum porrectus, munibat. At quia mons hic spatiosi ambitus minus claudi obsidendo poterat, illis potissimum in locis, ubi infestiorem se hostibus fieri posse exsistimat, sedes ponit.

Moreover, the mountain which they inhabited was so fortified by a rocky precipice on every side that from no part did an ascent lie open, except by a single narrow entrance, hewn by art, by which a way for the citizens to go out and to enter was extended; and on the loftier crest of that same ascent a gate and a wall, stretched out at length on either side, fortified it. But because this mountain, of spacious circuit, could less be enclosed by besieging, he sets up encampments especially in those places where he judges he can make himself more hostile to the enemies.

Porro Iatenses, ac si pro vita certare, instare, omnia circumire, nil remittere, quibus partibus plus timebant loca munire, inde [in]fatigabiles adesse vigilanti cura studebant. Et quia armenta sua et pecora secum in abditis eiusdem montis, cavernosisque locis a pervasione hostili tuta habebant, et minus ab hostibus ea diripi metuentes, obduratiores erant. Comes autem, quanto eos in sui defensione attentius instare videbat, tanto altiori ira inflammabatur, quo se eos minus laedere posse cognoscebat: non ab incoepto deterrebatur, sed eo instantius quo praevaleret omnia conando nitebatur.

Moreover the Iatenses, as if contending for life, pressed on, went around everything, remitted nothing, and fortified the places in those parts where they feared more; with watchful care they strove to be [in]defatigable in being present there. And because they had their herds and flocks with them in hidden and cavernous places of the same mountain, safe from hostile pervasion, and, fearing less that these would be plundered by the enemies, they were the more obdurate. The Count, however—the more he saw them press on more attentively in their own defense, the more he was inflamed with higher anger, in proportion as he realized that he could less injure them: he was not deterred from his inception, but all the more urgently he strove, by attempting everything, to prevail.

Sicilienses ergo milites suos, quibus iam impertierat possessiones insulae, quantum subiugaverat, apud Partinicum et Cornilium dimittens, Iatensibus infestos fieri praecepit. Ipse cum Calabrensibus Cinisum qui similiter contra se recalcitrabat, obsessum vadit. Sicque uno eodemque tempore, uno in confinio duas obsessiones, et a se divisas, ponens, utrasque fortissime tenuit, atque de una ad aliam saepissime migrans, hortari, instare, per se ipsum omnia attentare, hostibus infestus adesse, nunc minis, nunc incursionibus terrere, suos blandiri, plurima largiri, ampliora promittere, in sui fidelitatem arrigere, hostibus infestos reddere non desistebat.

Therefore, leaving his Sicilian soldiers—those to whom he had already imparted the possessions of the island, to the extent that he had subjugated it—at Partinicum and Cornilium, he ordered them to be hostile to the Iatenses. He himself, with the Calabrians, goes to besiege Cinisum, which likewise was kicking back against him. And so, at one and the same time, placing two sieges in one frontier and set apart from each other, he held both most stoutly; and, migrating very often from one to the other, he did not cease to exhort, to press, to attempt everything by himself, to be present hostilely against the enemies, now to terrify with threats, now with incursions, to coax his own men, to bestow very many largesses, to promise ampler things, to rouse them to fealty toward himself, to render them hostile to the enemies.

XXI. Mensis erat sextus; hostilis denotat aestus:
Hic studet ut laedat, studet alter ut ille recedat.
Laedunt, laeduntur.

21. It was the sixth month; the hostile heat denotes it:
This one strives to injure, the other strives that he may recede.
They injure, they are injured.

Sic alternando premuntur;
Sic paribus votis non deficit hostibus hostis.
Tempus erat messis; armis macerat ita fessis.
Uruntur messes: turbat res ista Iatenses.

Thus, by alternating, they are pressed;
Thus, with equal vows, the foe does not fail the foes.
It was the time of harvest; thus he macerates with arms the weary.
The harvests are burned: this affair throws the Iatenses into disorder.

Quodque iam laedit Cinensibus haud bene cedit.
Consilium captant, succurrere messibus aptant;
Sed cum vi nequeunt, hoc artibus addere quaerunt.
Conveniunt comitem, tentant sibi reddere mitem;
Foedere componunt; fraudis munimenta reponunt.

And what now harms the Cinensians turns out not well.
They catch at counsel, they fit themselves to succor the harvests;
Since they cannot by force, they seek to make it up by arts.
They meet with the count, they strive to render him mild to themselves;
They settle by a treaty; they put away the muniments of fraud.

Fruges salvantur, comitique reconciliantur.

The crops are saved, and they are reconciled to the count.

XXII. Igitur anno Dominicae incarnationis MLXXX Raimundus, famosissimus comes Provinciarum, famem Rogerii, Siculorum comitis, audiens, propter strenuitatem, quae de ipso referabatur, legatos dignos, qui a tanto principe ad tantum mitterentur, dirigens, Matildem, filiam suam, quam de prima uxore admodum honestae faciei puellam habebat, sibi in matrimonium copulandam expostulat. Quod cum a comite concessum et ab utrisque partibus exsequendum sacramentis firmatum fuisset, die nuptiarum statuto, qui venerant, pluribus donariis a comite, ut mos erat, munificati, festiniore regressu domino suo sibi concessum renuntiant.

22. Therefore, in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1080, Raymond, the most famous count of the Provinces, hearing the fame of Roger, count of the Sicilians, on account of the strenuity which was reported of him, sending worthy envoys—such as might be sent from so great a prince to one so great—requests that Matilda, his daughter, whom he had by his first wife, a maiden of very comely face, be joined to him in marriage. When this had been granted by the count and confirmed by oaths from both parties to be executed, with the day of the nuptials appointed, those who had come, having been munificently endowed by the count with many donatives, as was the custom, with speedier return report to their lord that it had been granted him.

Qua de re ille non minimum gavisus—erat enim propter formositatem, quam de ipsa audierat, illam ardentissimo amore cupiens—audito termino nuptiarum, per seipsum in Siciliam accedendo, diem praevenire accelerat.

Wherefore he rejoiced not a little—for, on account of the beauty which he had heard about in her, he was desiring her with the most ardent love—and, the term of the nuptials having been heard, by going in his own person into Sicily, he hastens to anticipate the day.

Venientem comes honore condigno excipit. Pactiones renovantur; dos puellae sub testamento chirographiyatur; sponsalia, praesentibus utriusque partis praesulibus, precibus ab episcopis et sacris ordinibus catholice celebrantur. Qui iamdudum inter iuvenem et puellam paulatim adoleverat prima nocte, ut assolet, immensum excrescit.

As he comes, the count receives him with condign honor. The pactions are renewed; the girl’s dowry is chirographed under a testament; the betrothal, with the prelates of both parties present, with prayers by the bishops and the sacred orders, is catholically celebrated. That which had already for some time gradually grown between the youth and the girl, on the first night, as is customary, swells immensely.

Celebratis itaque, et non sine magnarum expensarum sumptibus, nuptiis, socer generum suum aliquandiu secum retinens, tandem munificentiis benevolum, ut res ipsa expostulabat, factum, sed et iis, qui cum ipso advenerant, singulis singula, prout quemque esse sciebat, largiens, navibus apparatis, placido aequore a se cum filia dimisit. Illi autem, vela ventis accuratissime committentes, zephiro suffragante, brevi tempore unde venerant, cum sponsa reducunt.

Accordingly, the nuptials having been celebrated, and not without the outlays of great expenses, the father-in-law, keeping his son-in-law with him for some time, at length—made benevolent by munificences, as the matter itself required—and, bestowing also upon those who had come with him, to each his several gift, according as he knew each man to be, with the ships made ready, on a placid sea sent him away from himself with his daughter. But they, committing the sails to the winds most carefully, with Zephyr giving support, in a short time bring back, whence they had come, together with the bride.

XXIII. Spernit nata patrem, puduit nec relinquere matrem;
Externo comiti delectatur sociari.
A quo nutritur, caret; ac alterque potitur,
Poena quidem multa cum matris, cum sit adulta.

23. She spurns her father, nor did she blush to leave her mother;
She delights to be associated with a foreign companion.
She lacks the one by whom she is nurtured; and another gains possession,
Indeed much penalty for the mother, now that she is adult.

Nec quae nutritur, lascivo fratre potitur.
Plus externum quam quem sit iure paternum.
Nec nimis hoc culpo, quamvis hic talia sculpo;
Nec prohibens vito, cum fiat iuncta marito.

Nor does she who is nurtured enjoy the lascivious brother.
She prefers the external one rather than him who is by right paternal.
Nor do I overly blame this, although here I sculpt such things;
Nor, forbidding, do I avoid it, when she is joined to a husband.

Diligat et iuste foedus servando venuste.
Nam quos lex iungit, sententia nulla repungit:
Ut soboles crescat, ne deficiendo tabescat.
Prima virago datur, primoque viro sociatur.

Let her love, and justly, by keeping the covenant gracefully.
For those whom the law joins, no sentence unjoins:
Ut the offspring may grow, lest by failing it waste away.
The first woman is given, and to the first man she is joined.

Tali fortuna duo sint ut carne sub una.
     Lex ista divina praecepit, non peregrina.
Pinxit Scriptura quae sunt facienda futura:
     Postponat patrem, postponat denique matrem,
Quisquis et uxori iungatur amore priori;
     Iure maritali servantur linea tali.

By such a fortune let the two be as under one flesh.
     This divine law has prescribed it, not a foreign one.
Painting, Scripture portrayed the things that are to be done in the future:
     Let him postpone father, let him postpone, finally, mother,
whoever also is joined to a wife by a prior love;
     By marital right such a line is preserved.

XXIV. Igitur famosissimus Apulorum et Calabriae dux, Robertus, diatim instigante se MichaÎle, qui ad se transfugerat, ut coeperat, versus Romaniam animum intendens, anno Dominicae incarnationis MLXXXI, mense maio, apud Ydrontum venit. Apparatisque pro processu sumptibus tanto incoeptui dignis, quindecim naves trans mare aliquam urbem praeoccupatum mittit, ut, cum ipse cum reliquo exercitu subsequeretur, imbecille vulgus, cuius pars maxima in expeditione erat, quo se ab hostili incursu, si necesse foret, tueretur, haberet.

24. Therefore the most famous duke of the Apulians and of Calabria, Robert, with Michael—who had fled over to him—continually urging him on, as he had begun, directing his mind toward Romania, in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 1081, in the month of May, came to Hydruntum. And with expenditures prepared for the advance, worthy of so great an undertaking, he sends fifteen ships across the sea to pre‑occupy some city, so that, when he himself should follow with the rest of the army, the feeble crowd—of which the greater part was on the expedition—might have a place where it could protect itself from a hostile incursion, if it should be necessary.

Illi vero vela ventis committentes, de nocte apud Corofon applicant . Insulaque de mari eminus inspecta, multitudinem hostium, quam invenerunt, abhorrentes, minime a navibus progredi praesumunt; sed, reditum accelerantes, duci placidum, etiam si maior esset exercitus, renunciant.

They indeed, committing their sails to the winds, by night make land at Corofon. And the island, inspected from the sea at a distance, shuddering at the multitude of enemies which they found, they in no way presume to advance from the ships; but, accelerating a return, they report to the duke that it is the more placid course, even if the army were larger.

Dux itaque plurimum exhilaratus, copiis navibus introductis, festinus cum omni classe transmeare accelerat, pluribus ex remanentibus amicis, quibus Apuliam Calabriamque procuratum delegaverat, timore eum, et qui cum ipso abibant, amittendi, usque ad ipsa lachrimarum indicia, quas affectus pietatis exprimebat, dolentibus, quibusdam vero ex iis, qui cum ipso proficiscebantur, timore tam horribili ad quod intendebat incoeptus—ac si febrium tipo congrauarentur—militibus demisse trementibus. Nam quantae audaciae cuiusve militaris strenuitatis dux iste fuerit, cum per multa eius exercitia satis abundeque clareat, etiam si reliqua omnia sileant, ex hoc potissimum indubitanter annotari potest: quod, cum tam populosum imperium, tamque copiosum imperatorem, totve millia hostium pauca manu, spe subiugandi, bello lacessere tentatum ire praesumebat, ipse armatae militiae non plusquam mille trecentos milites secum habuisse, ab eis, qui eidem negotio interfuerunt, attestatur. Porro ei copias, viresque, quas res ipsa tempusque, quantum ad numerum, oculorum intuitu minus sufficienter administrabat, ipsa eius animo innata militaris ferocitas—ac si plus ipsis hostibus necessariis copiis abundaret—sufficienter itaque eum habere in mente repraesentabat; suorumque animos, prae timore minus hilares, laetum vultum ostendendo, largisque eiusdem regionis possessionum, thesaurorumque, ac si iam debellavisset, promissionibus recreando, spe ea in posterum accipiendi, si strenue secum agere velint, ad militaris exercitus secum pericula tentanda, quae formidolosa aestimatio dehortabatur, promptiores reddebat.

The Duke therefore, exceedingly exhilarated, with the troops brought aboard the ships, hastens in haste to cross with the whole fleet, while many of the friends from among those remaining, to whom he had delegated Apulia and Calabria to be administered, grieving, from fear of losing him and those who were departing with him, even unto the very signs of tears, which an affection of piety drew forth; but certain of those who were setting out with him, under fear so horrible of the enterprise toward which he was aiming—as if they were aggravated by a paroxysm of fevers—the soldiers lowly and trembling. For of how great audacity and of what military strenuousness this Duke was, since through his many campaigns it is abundantly and more than sufficiently clear, even if all other things were silent, from this especially it can without doubt be noted: that, whereas he presumed to go to provoke to war, with the hope of subjugating, so populous an empire and so copious an emperor, and so many thousands of enemies, with a small band, he himself, of armed soldiery, to have had with him not more than 1,300 soldiers, is attested by those who took part in the same affair. Moreover, the forces and strengths which the thing itself and the time, as to the number, were supplying less sufficiently to the view of the eyes, his military ferocity, innate to his spirit—as if he abounded in forces more than were necessary even to the enemies themselves—was representing to him as sufficiently had in mind; and the spirits of his men, less cheerful from fear, by showing a glad countenance, and by refreshing them with generous promises of the possessions and treasures of that same region, as if he had already fought the war to the finish, with the hope of receiving that in the future, if they should be willing to act strenuously with him, he was making readier to attempt with him the dangers of the military expedition, from which a fearful estimation was dissuading them.

Copiis itaque tanto incoeptui dignis pro spe apparatis, dum naves per aequora prudente remige reguntur, aura leni prosperante ventosa carbasa, usque ad portum placidae applicationis impune recipiuntur: parsque classis applicat in portum qui Herico dicitur. Post autem ubi fluvius Bayosaes in mare defluit, placido litori transfertur. Dux ergo, pro libitu suo placido litore potitus, navibus digrediens, mox, ut terram pedibus attigit, inspecta amoenitate situque locorum, suis dixisse fertur: "O fortissimi milites, et honoris praedecessorum non degeneres haeredes: haec est enim haereditas vobis competens, pro hac adipiscenda, armis decertandum est.

Therefore, with forces prepared in hope, worthy of so great an undertaking, while the ships are steered over the level seas by a prudent helmsman, a gentle breeze prospering the wind-filled canvases, they are taken in unscathed up to a harbor of placid landing: and part of the fleet makes land in the port which is called Herico. Afterward, however, where the river Bayosaes flows down into the sea, it is transferred to a tranquil shore. The Duke therefore, having, at his good pleasure, taken possession of the placid shore, departing from the ships, soon as he touched the land with his feet, the pleasantness and the situation of the places having been inspected, is said to have spoken to his men: "O bravest soldiers, and not degenerate heirs of the honor of your predecessors: for this is the inheritance fitting for you; for the obtaining of this, a contest in arms must be waged.

Non vos deterreat ignobilis vulgi et imbecillis, quamvis numerosae, multitudinis strepitus hostium; sed adhortetur species et foecunditas hostilis adipiscendi haereditaliter agri. Speciesque et abundantia post certamen, si strenue agatis, vobis debitae sunt" .

"Let not the din of the ignoble vulgar and feeble, though numerous, multitude of the enemy deter you; but let the aspect and fecundity of the enemy’s land, to be acquired as an inheritance, encourage you. And the aspect and abundance after the contest, if you act strenuously, are owed to you" .

Haec dicens, castrum, quod Casopuli dicitur, in insula Corofi oppugnans capit, et aliud castrum, quod, ex nomine insulae, Corofon nomen accepit, cum tota insula suae mancipat servituti. Inde progrediens, urbem, quae Avalona dicitur, iuxta Emathios campos, quia confinio, quo applicuerat, adiacens erat, mox oppugnatum vadit. Porro cives, ducis adventu audito, praesentiaque nimium territi, viribus suis magis deficientes, deditione de seipsis facta, eius ditioni cum ipsa urbe subduntur.

Saying this, he, assaulting, captures the fortress which is called Casopuli on the island Corofi, and another fortress which, from the name of the island, received the name Corofon, he mancipates, together with the whole island, to his own servitude. Thence advancing, to the city which is called Avalona, near the Emathian fields, because it was adjoining to the border where he had made land, he straightway goes to the assault. Moreover the citizens, having heard of the duke’s arrival, and exceedingly terrified at his presence, their own forces the more failing, with a surrender made by themselves, submit, together with the city itself, to his dominion.

Castrum etiam quoddam, urbe haud procul situm, quod Canna dicebatur, a praesentia ducis timore languidum—et eo maxime propter quod Avalona, quae bellicis copiis se abundantior erat, deditionem fecerat—haud secus subditur.

Also a certain castle, situated not far from the city, which was called Canna, enfeebled with fear at the presence of the duke—and all the more for this, because Avalona, which was more abundant in warlike forces, had made surrender—was likewise subjected.

XXV. Fortunam sibi dux satis bene cedere
     Cognoscens, adiicit plurima visere.
     Duraci moenia obsidet undique,
     Armata populi manu .
Sic urbs contremuit; hostibus obsita,
     Diffidunt sibi iam fortia moenia;
Insistunt civibus tela minantia:
     Alternant sibi funera.

25. The leader, recognizing that Fortune was yielding to him quite well
     adds to go survey very many things.
     on all sides he besieges the walls of Duracium,
     with the people's armed hand .
Such the city trembled; covered with enemies,
     the fortified walls now lose confidence in themselves;
threatening weapons bear down upon the citizens:
     they alternate funerals among themselves.

Sed plus atteritur asperitatibus
     Graecorum populus territus hostibus,
     Nec reddit timidus aspera vulnera:
     Veres abstulerat timor.
Constantinopolim chartula mittitur,
     Hostes in proelio adfore dicitur
     Ereptum veniant, cum prece quaeritur,
     Ne subdantur ab hostibus.

But the people of the Greeks, terrified by enemies, is more worn down by hardships
     The people of the Greeks, terrified by enemies,
     Nor does the fearful return harsh wounds:
     Fear had taken away their strength.
A little note is sent to Constantinople,
     It is said the enemies will be present in battle
     It is sought with prayer that they may come to snatch them away,
     Lest they be subjected by the enemies.

XXVII. Imperator itaque, de praesentia hostium sinistro nuncio accepto, chartulis expeditionem submonens, totum imperium sollicitat: multisque millibus, paucis numero hostibus—sed strenuitate abundantioribus—occurrere parat. Credensque a multitudine suorum eos facile occupari posse, Venetianis mandat, ut plurima classe apud Duracium sibi occurrant, ut, si ibi forte nostri, bello ab ipso devicti, fugientes per mare evadere niterentur, ab ipsis navali certamine praeventi, facilius intercepti perimerentur.

27. Therefore the emperor, on receiving a sinister message about the presence of the enemies, by letters urging an expedition, rouses the whole empire: and with many thousands he prepares to meet enemies few in number—yet more abundant in strenuous valor. And believing that by the multitude of his own they could be easily overmastered, he orders the Venetians to meet him with a very large fleet at Duracium, so that, if perchance our men there, defeated in war by that same man, should strive, fleeing, to escape by sea, anticipated by them in a naval contest, they might more easily be intercepted and slain.

Qui iussa fideliter complentes, classem accelerant, triduoque ante sibi praefixum ab imperatore terminum, versus Duracium adventare a nostris eminus in mari conspiciuntur. Ad quorum intuitum nostri, citius in arma ruentes, navali congressu dimicaturi hostibus promptissime occurrere accelerant. Sicque pertotam diem utrimque acerrime congressum est.

Who, faithfully completing the commands, accelerate the fleet, and, three days before the term prefixed for them by the emperor, are sighted by our men from afar at sea to be approaching toward Duracium. At the sight of whom, our men, rushing more swiftly to arms, being about to contend in a naval engagement, most promptly hasten to meet the enemies. And so through the whole day on both sides the engagement was fought most fiercely.

At cum iam, die refrigerante, sol, ad occasum vergens, liquidas undas oceani quasi subintrare videretur, praevalente hostibus strenuitate nostrorum, Venetiani, viribus exhausti, deditionem pollicentes, pacem indutiasque usque in crastinum, quo duci pro libitu suo foederentur, expostulant. Sicque, nostris quod expetebant inconsulte concedentibus, certamen ad invicem scinditur. Nostri in portum suum revertuntur.

But when now, the day cooling, the sun, bending toward its setting, seemed as if to enter beneath the liquid waves of the ocean, the vigor of our men prevailing over the enemy, the Venetians, their strength exhausted, promising surrender, demand peace and a truce until the morrow, on which they might be bound by treaty to the duke at his own pleasure. And so, our men, imprudently granting what they sought, the contest is broken off between them. Our men return to their port.

Nostri itaque, deditionis falsa pollicitatione delusi, per totam noctem, quasi iam hostes triumphavissent, gloriantes, dum usque in crastinum securius sustinent, Venetiani naves suas, pluribus commeatibus aggregatas, nocturno silentio exonerando levigantes et in summitate mali uniuscuiusque navis solium duorum, vel trium hominum arte componentes, lapidibusque et pilis ad iacendum munientes, sese ad defensionem potius quam ad deditionem aptant.

Our men therefore, deluded by the false promise of surrender, throughout the whole night, boasting as if the enemies had already been triumphed over, while they, more securely, wait until the morrow, the Venetians, their ships having been aggregated with multiple convoys of supplies, lightening them by unloading in the silence of the night, and on the summit of the mast of each ship by skill composing a seat for two or three men, and furnishing it with stones and javelins for hurling, fit themselves for defense rather than for surrender.

Dux vero, doli ignarus, summo diluculo potentiores exercitus sui, qui eos seipsos, sicut promiserant, dedentes susciperent, mittens, salvis omnibus, quae ipsorum erant, usque ad se deducere praecipit. Sed Venetiani nostris, ad se venientibus, arma potius quam deditionem ostentantes, dum magno impetu versus ipsos grassantur, nostris, quia improvide processerant, certamen declinantibus, ipsi in portum Duracensem ad ignominiam damnumque nostrorum impune applicant. Sicque facultatem liberam urbem ingrediendi habentes, vicissim nautae urbicensibus et urbicenses nautis consulantur ; invicemque per totam diem consilium captantes, plus minus a medietate noctis transacta, sub pallore lunae armantur; navibus que litore citius amotis, buccinis concrepando, nostris certamen offerre progrediuntur: quibus nostri, certatum occurrentes, acerrime utrimque congreditur.

But the Duke, ignorant of the deceit, at the very daybreak sending the stronger forces of his army, who would receive them surrendering themselves, as they had promised, orders that, with all things which were theirs kept safe, they be conducted all the way to him. But the Venetians, as our men were coming to them, displaying arms rather than surrender, while they stride with great onslaught toward them, with our men, because they had advanced improvidently, declining battle, themselves put in, with impunity, to the Dyrrachian port to the ignominy and damage of our men. And so, having free faculty of entering the city, in turn the sailors take counsel with the townsmen and the townsmen with the sailors ; and, taking counsel with one another through the whole day, a little more or less after the middle of the night, under the pallor of the moon they arm themselves; and, the ships more quickly drawn off from the shore, with buccinae blaring, they advance to offer combat to our men: to whom our men, running to fight, most fiercely on both sides engage.

Sed illi artificiose ignem, quem graecum appellant, qui nec aqua extinguitur, occultis fistularum meatibus sub undis perflantes, quandam navem de nostris, quam cattum nominant, dolose inter ipsas liquidi aequoris undas comburunt. Sed nostri, dolo cognito, facto impetu, aliam navem de suis non minoris pretii penitus in mare submergunt. Sicque, damno contra damnum composito, pari ultione facilius fertur, nostris itaque exhorrescentibus dolum ipsorum, ipsis autem strenuitatem nostrorum, certamen utrimque diremptum quievit.

But they, artfully fanning the fire which they call Greek, which is not extinguished by water, beneath the waves through hidden conduits of pipes, deceitfully burn, amid the very waves of the liquid plain, a certain ship of ours which they call a “cat.” But our men, the trick being recognized, having made an onset, utterly sink into the sea another ship of theirs of no lesser price. And thus, with loss set against loss, with equal vengeance it is more easily borne; our men, therefore, shuddering at their trick, and they at the strenuousness of our men, the contest, broken off on both sides, grew quiet.

Ipsi in portum urbis, unde exierant, regrediuntur; nostri vero ubi primum applicuerant, persistunt .

They themselves return to the harbor of the city, whence they had gone out; but our men persist where they had first put in .

XXVII. Porro in crastino summo diluculo illucescente, mense octobri instante, dum pars exercitus nostri pabulum quaesitum ire appararent, imperatorem cum innumerabilibus copiis adventare per signa in summitatibus hastilium eminus ventilantia depraehendunt. Fit concursus et strepitus in castris: alii terrentur, alii, animo promptiores, minus fortes, exhortationibus recreando, robustiores reddunt.

27. Moreover, on the morrow, as the very first light of dawn was shining, with the month of October at hand, while a part of our army were preparing to go to seek forage, they detect that the emperor is approaching with innumerable forces, by the standards waving from afar on the tops of the spear-shafts. There is a rush and a clamor in the camp: some are terrified, others, more ready in spirit, by exhortations reviving the less brave, make them more robust.

Dux vero, videns sibi belli certamen imminere, ut, suis omnem spem fugae auferendo, ad defensionem sui ardentius inflammaret, naves suas, a mari protectas, omnes combussit, ne forte cum acrius proelium nostris immineret, timidi, certamine declinando, spe transmeandi illorsum aufugerent. Imperator vero, appropinquans haud procul a castris nostrorum—scilicet, quasi stadiis quatuor interpositis—castrametatur: exercitus ab undique ipse facit, nemine ipsorum adversum nostros, sed neque ex nostris adversum ipsos, ipsa die aliquid praesumente.

The leader, indeed, seeing a battle’s contest impending for himself, in order that, by removing from his men all hope of flight, he might inflame them more ardently to the defense of himself, burned all his ships, protected by the sea, lest perchance, when the battle threatened our men more sharply, the timid, by declining the contest, might flee away with the hope of crossing over thither. But the emperor, approaching not far from the camp of our men—namely, as if four stadia intervening—encamps; he himself arrays the army on every side, with none of theirs against our men, but neither any of ours against them, on that very day venturing anything.

Sequenti nocte dux primas noctis facit excubias; secundas vero, videlicet a media nocte donec diescat, Boamundus, filius ducis. Mane autem facto, dux ipse, lucis crepusculo, omnesque nostri surgentes, cum summa devotione hymnos Dei cum missarum celebratione audiunt: presbyteris compunctive confitentes peccata, muniunt sacri Viatici misteriis. Sicque, ordinatis aciebus, ad certamen gradatim et coniunctissime progrediuntur.

On the following night the duke keeps the first watch of the night; but the second, namely from midnight until it grows light, Boamund, the duke’s son. When morning was made, at the dawn of light the duke himself, and all our men arising, with the highest devotion hear the hymns of God with the celebration of Masses: confessing their sins to the presbyters with compunction, they fortify themselves by the mysteries of the sacred Viaticum. And thus, the battle-lines having been ordered, they advance to the contest step by step and in the closest conjunction.

Imperator vero sibi occurrens, tanta multitudine undique constipatur, ut nullius montis ascensus ad supervidendum extremitatem eius sufficere videretur. Angli vero, quos Waringos appellant, ab imperatore primitias congressus expetentes, certamine inito, caudatis bidentibus—quibus hoc genus hominum potissimum utitur—infestissime instantes, nostris admodum importuni primo esse coeperunt. Cum ecce quaedam acies nostra, ex adverso illis sub nudo latere prorumpens, forti congressu sauciatos et ab incoepto deterritos in fugam cogit; qui versus ecclesiam sancti Nicolai, quae ibi contigua erat, vitae asylum expetentes, dum alii, quantum capacitas permittebat, subintrant, alii tanta multitudine tecta superscandunt, ut pondere ipsa tecta dissoluta consubruantur, illos qui subintraverant opprimentes, collisi pariter suffocarentur.

But the emperor, meeting us, is so packed with such a multitude on every side that no mountain’s ascent seemed sufficient to oversee its extremity. The Angles, however, whom they call Varangians, seeking from the emperor the first-fruits of the encounter, once the combat was begun, pressing most fiercely with tailed bidents—which this kind of men chiefly uses—began at first to be very importunate to our men. When behold, a certain battle-line of ours, bursting out opposite them under their bare flank, by a stout encounter forces them, wounded and deterred from their undertaking, into flight; and they, toward the church of Saint Nicholas, which was adjoining there, seeking an asylum for life, while some, as far as capacity permitted, go in beneath, others in such a multitude climb up over the roofs that by the weight the roofs themselves, loosened, collapse together, crushing those who had gone in below, and, being dashed together, they were suffocated alike.

Porro imperator, videns Waringos, in quibus sibi maxima spes victoriae fuerat, enerviter superatos, et nostros insequentes adversum se acerrime adventare, territus, fugam, potius quam certamen, eligit: omnisque exercitus Graecorum, tentoriis cum omni suppellectili sua relictis, quisque prior in fuga fieri accelerat. Nostri itaque victoriam adepti, duce eos reprimente, haud longe fugientes persecuti sunt; sed ad castra eorum regressi, dux in tentoriis imperatoris hospitatur, caeteri, qui priores accedebant, pretiosiora hospitia cum spoliis usurpant .

Moreover the emperor, seeing the Varangians, in whom he had had the greatest hope of victory, feebly overcome, and our men, in pursuit, advancing most fiercely against him, terrified, chooses flight rather than combat; and the whole army of the Greeks, their tents with all their furnishings left behind, each hastens to be first in flight. Our men therefore, having obtained victory, with the duke restraining them, pursued those fleeing not far; but, having returned to their camp, the duke takes lodging in the emperor’s tents, the rest, who were arriving earlier, usurp the more precious lodgings along with the spoils .

Dux ergo, videns hiemem sibi imminere—mensis enim erat october—inde progressus super fluvium Daemoniorum, castrum ad hiemandum construxit: quod, ex suo agnomine vocans, montem Guiscardi appellavit: a quo etiam diatim usque Duracium armata manu progrediens, diversis incursionibus crebro lacessivit. Castra vero diversa eiusdem provinciae eius infestationem ferre non valentes, foedere cum ipso composito, deditionem facientes, sibi conciliantur.

Therefore the Duke, seeing winter impending for him—for the month was October—, from there, having advanced over the River of the Demons, built a fort for wintering: which, naming from his own agnomen, he called Mount Guiscard: and from there also, advancing day by day with an armed force as far as Duracium, he frequently harried with diverse incursions. But the various camps of the same province, not being able to endure his harassment, with a treaty concluded with him, making surrender, are won over to him.

XXVIII. Erat autem, ea tempestate, apud Duracium venetianus quidam, nomine Dominicus, nobili genere, cuius providentiae maior turris ad tuendum delegata erat. Huius animum dux, quadam collocutione habita inter se frivola, aliquantisper dignoscens, aliquando, sed rarius per se, aliquando per alios, ne forte fraus ab aliis inter ipsos componi depraehenderetur, attentans diversis in conventionibus de traditione urbis procurare sollicite coepit.

28. Moreover, at that time there was at Dyrrachium a certain Venetian, named Dominic, of noble lineage, to whose providence the greater tower had been delegated for guarding. The duke, having by a certain frivolous colloquy held between them somewhat discerned this man’s mind, sometimes—but more rarely by himself—sometimes through others, lest perchance a fraud being arranged between them should be detected by others, began solicitously to attempt, in various conferences, to procure the handing over of the city.

Animus vero cupiditate aeger, ut a promittentibus avaritiae luxuria admiscetur, facile corruptus, a bono honestoque proposito proclivis in deterius dilapsus est. Dux denique, neptem speciosae formae habens, filiam videlicet fratris sui Guilielmi, Principatus comitis, ut ei in matrimonium cum haereditate puellae competenti associandam se dare spopondit, pro libitu suo favore usus, sacramentis ab utrisque partibus datis, illo ut urbem tradat, isto ut neptem conferat iurante, mox per traditionem urbem subintrandi terminatur.

The mind, indeed, sick with cupidity—when the luxuriance of avarice is mixed in by those promising—being easily corrupted, slipped down from a good and honest purpose, inclined toward the worse. Finally the Duke, having a niece of beautiful form, namely the daughter of his brother William, count of the Principate, pledged to give her to him to be associated in matrimony, together with an inheritance suitable to the girl; using his favor at his own pleasure, with oaths given by both parties—the one swearing to hand over the city, the other to bestow the niece—soon a time is fixed for slipping into the city by its delivery.

Dux de nanciscenda urbe certus, scalas ad transcendendos muros cx ligno componit; venetianus autem in adiutorium ducis ex funibus perplexas, advenientibus hostibus, de muro dependentes porrigit. Et quia sicuti scriptum est: Nullus perniciosior hostis est ad nocendum, quam familiaris inimicus, ab ipso , qui vi tueri debuerat, libera facultate urbem prorumpendi hostibus concessa, sub nomine Guiscardi, sinistro clamore saepius ingeminato, buccinis concrepantibus, urbs tota turbatur. Cives in arma ruentes, ignari quod hostes iam secum infra muros et in altiori turri essent, incassum repugnare nituntur.

The duke, certain about obtaining the city, constructs ladders from wood for overstepping the walls; but the Venetian, into the duke’s aid, woven from ropes, extends them, hanging down from the wall, to the arriving enemies. And because, as it is written: No enemy is more pernicious for harming than a familiar adversary, by that very man , who ought by force to have defended it, the free power of bursting forth into the city having been granted to the enemies, under the name of Guiscard, with the sinister clamor redoubled again and again, with trumpets resounding, the whole city is thrown into turmoil. The citizens rushing to arms, ignorant that the enemies were already with them within the walls and in the higher tower, strive in vain to resist.

Triduo tamen pro posse, sed frustra renitentes, tandem vi coacti, foedere composito, deditionem ipsis facientibus, ditioni ducis colla submittunt .

For three days, however, resisting as far as they could, but in vain, at length compelled by force, with a treaty composed, they themselves making the surrender, they submit their necks to the dominion of the duke .

XXIX. Igitur dux, urbe potitus, pro velle suo ordinans, Fortimundo de Rosana procurandam delegavit; ipse, cum exercitu ultra progrediens, totam provinciam debellando sibi subiugatum vadit. Unde et apud urbem, quae Castoria dicitur, veniens, quia ditionem eius subire recusabat, obsidione composita, eam undique vallavit, minisque terrendo et interdum blandimentis mulcendo, aliquanto tempore infestus persistens, plurimum lacessivit.

29. Therefore the duke, having gained possession of the city, arranging according to his will, delegated its administration to Fortimund of Rosana; he himself, advancing farther with the army, proceeds to bring the whole province, by warring it down, into subjugation to himself. Whence also, coming to the city which is called Castoria, because it refused to submit to his dominion, with a siege set in order he enclosed it on every side, terrifying with threats and at times softening with blandishments, remaining hostile for quite some time, he harassed it greatly.

Trecenti enim Waringi in eadem urbe habitabant, custodes ab imperatore deputati, quorum praesidio et opere non minimum defensabatur. At cum nostros in oppugnando persistentes vident, machinamenta, quibus urbs facilius debellari poterat, apparare timentes, et, capta urbe, peius foedus inire sibi in futurum praecaventes, foedere confecto, deditionem faciunt. Sicque urbe subiugata, omnes circumquaque provinciae cum finitimis castris eius ditioni subiugantur.

For 300 Varangians were dwelling in the same city, guards deputed by the emperor, by whose protection and effort it was defended not a little. But when they see our men persisting in the assault, fearing the preparation of siege engines by which the city could be more easily reduced, and, anticipating that, if the city were taken, they would enter upon a worse pact for themselves in the future, with a pact concluded they make a surrender. And thus, the city subjugated, all the provinces round about, together with the neighboring camps, are subjected to his dominion.

Ipse quippe omnes, qui ad se convertebantur, cum summa honoriticentia recipiebat, muneribus augebat, eorum consilio in iis, quae facienda erant, plurimum utebatur: et hoc quidem ex industria, ut alii, cum ista audirent, facilius sibi applicarentur, agebat. Timor autem eius totum imperium, usque ad ipsam regiam urbem, tremere faciebat.

He himself indeed received all who turned to him with the highest honorificence, enriched them with gifts, and made very great use of their counsel in those things which had to be done: and this indeed he did by design, so that others, when they heard these things, might more easily attach themselves to him. Moreover, fear of him made the whole empire, right up to the royal city itself, tremble.

XXX. Cum ista apud Romaniam a duce agerentur, Siciliensi comite Rogerio apud Calabriam et Apuliam fraternis negotiis—uti suis—intento, Benarvet, apud Siciliam christiano nomini infestus, multa incommoda inferebat. Erat enim callidissimus et militari exercitio deditus, audax, subdolus, aliud lingua proferens, aliud tacito pectore occultando gerens: Syracusi et Noti princeps, cuius consilio omnes Saraceni, qui adhuc in Sicilia rebelles erant, innitebantur.

30. While these things were being transacted in Romania by the duke, with the Sicilian count Roger intent in Calabria and Apulia upon his brotherly affairs—just as upon his own—, Benarvet, about Sicily hostile to the Christian name, was inflicting many harms. For he was most crafty and devoted to military exercise, bold, underhand, uttering one thing with his tongue, while in his silent breast he carried on another to be concealed: prince of Syracuse and Noto, on whose counsel all the Saracens who were still rebellious in Sicily were relying.

Hic quendam paganum, nomine Benthumen, quem comes apud Cathaniam maiorem urbi praefecerat, callidis circumventionibus aggrediens, ad tradendam urbem multis munerum, possessionumve pactionibus sollicitabat. Paganus vero nominis sui competens imitator, avaritia coecatus, fidei sacramentorumque, quae comiti dederat, oblitus, statuto termino, infra urbem illum cum multitudine suorum fraudulenter de nocte accipiens, traditionis nomen sibi perpetuo vindicavit. Quod factum cum per totam insulam personuisset, Christiani quidem, eo quod tam nefanda fraus inter ipsos reperta sit, plurimum erubescebant; Saraceni autem passim de tanta christiani nominis ignominia subsannando exhilarabantur.

Here, approaching a certain pagan, by name Benthumen, whom the count at Catania had appointed mayor of the city, with crafty circumventions he was soliciting him, by many bargains of gifts or of possessions, to hand over the city. But the pagan, a fitting imitator of his name, blinded by avarice, forgetful of the faith and of the sacraments which he had given to the count, at the appointed time, taking him within the city by night, with a multitude of his men, fraudulently, claimed for himself forever the name of treachery. When this deed had resounded through the whole island, the Christians indeed, because so nefarious a fraud had been found among themselves, were exceedingly ashamed; but the Saracens everywhere, by jeering at so great an ignominy of the Christian name, were exhilarated.

Porro Iordanus, filius comitis, et Robertus de Surda-valle et Elias Cartomensis—qui ex Saracenis ad fidem Christi conversus, postea apud Castrum-Iohannis a sua gente hostiliter interfectus, quia negando apostata fieri noluit, martyrio vitam laudabiliter finivit—exercitu commoto, versus Cathaniam iter intendunt. Benarvet vero, eos advenire per speculatores suos quos undique omnia visum praemittebat, audiens, extra urbem, copiis suorum ad praeliandum ordinatis, dimicaturus occurrit. Pedites quidem usque ad viginti millia a dextro latere suo in occursum hostium paulisper anteponens, ipse cum equestri legione in sinistro cornu fixus manens, hostes praestolatur.

Moreover Jordan, the count’s son, and Robert of Surda-valley and Elias Cartomensis—who, converted from the Saracens to the faith of Christ, later at Castrum-Iohannis was hostilely slain by his own people, because he would not, by denying, become an apostate, and by martyrdom laudably finished his life—having set the army in motion, direct their march toward Catania. But Benarvet, hearing through his speculators, whom he was sending ahead on all sides to see everything, that they were coming, went out to meet them outside the city, with his forces arrayed for battle, prepared to fight. Indeed, placing up to twenty thousand foot-soldiers a little in front on his right flank to meet the enemy, he himself, remaining fixed with the equestrian legion on the left wing, awaited the foes.

Nostri autem, cum centum sexaginta tantummodo milites essent, nil remorati, certamen, Deum sibi propitium invocantes, ineunt. Tertioque super pedites impetu facto, cum immobiliter persistentes flectere nequeunt, declinantes eos super equites irruunt, fortiterque congredientes, multa strage facta, in fugam vertunt, quos insequentes et extremos quosque cedentes, usque in portam civitatis impellunt. Benarvet sic fuga vix elapso, de peditibus permaxima strages facta est.

Our men, however, although there were only 160 soldiers, without any delay enter the contest, invoking God as propitious to them. And with a third charge made upon the foot-soldiers, since they cannot bend those persisting immovably, turning aside from them they rush upon the horsemen, and, engaging bravely, with much slaughter wrought, they turn them to flight; and pursuing them, they drive even each of the hindmost who were retreating all the way to the gate of the city. Benarvet thus barely escaping by flight, a very great slaughter was made among the infantry.

Nostri vero, ante urbem tentoria figentes, obsessionem praegravabant. Sed Benarvet, clam de nocte urbe digrediens, cum pagano traditore fugiens, Syracusis se recepit. Sicque urbs a nostris recuperatur.

Our men, however, pitching tents before the city, were aggravating the siege. But Benarvet, secretly by night departing from the city, fleeing with a pagan traitor, betook himself to Syracuse. And thus the city is recovered by our men.

Paganus traditor a Benarvet, ne Syracusam, sicut Cathaniam, tradat, dum praemia pollicita requirit, truncatur.

The pagan traitor is cut down by Benarvet, lest he betray Syracuse, as he did Catania, while he is demanding the rewards that had been promised.

XXXI. Gregarius autem miles quidam, nomine Ingelmarus, comiti diu servierat: cui ipse comes, quamvis inferioris generis esset, propter militarem tamen strenuitatem, quam in eo videbat, volens servitium suum honeste, ut sibi semper mos fuit, remunerare, uxorem nepotis sui Serlonis—videlicet qui apud Siciliam a Saracenis interemptus fuerat—cum omni dote sibi competenti, ipsa multum renitente, in matrimonium sibi concessit, ut, prae clari generis mulierem—erat enim filia Rodulti, Boianensis comitis—militis generositas quodammodo inter consodales clarior fieret. Ille vero apud Giracium, cuius quadrans ex dote mulieris sibi competebat, nuptiis solemniter celebratis, non iam humilitatis honestatem servans, ad sui generis debilitatem mentem reducebat; sed uxoris generositatem in animo sibi vindicans, aequalem se in genere et dignitate illi, cuius antea uxor fuerat, iactans ultra debitum appetebat.

31. A certain common soldier, named Ingelmar, had long served the count: to whom the count himself, although he was of inferior birth, yet on account of military strenuity, which he saw in him, wishing to remunerate his service honorably, as was always his custom, granted to him in marriage the wife of his nephew Serlo—namely, the one who had been slain in Sicily by the Saracens—with all the dowry suited to him, she herself resisting much, so that, by means of a woman of very illustrious lineage—for she was the daughter of Rodulf, count of Boiano—the soldier’s nobility might in some measure become clearer among his fellow-comrades. He, however, at Giracium, of which a quarter from the woman’s dowry fell to him as his due, the nuptials having been solemnly celebrated, no longer preserving the decorum of humility, did not recall his mind to the frailty of his own stock; but, claiming to himself in mind his wife’s nobility, boasting himself equal in lineage and dignity to him whose wife she had previously been, he sought beyond what was due.

Hic apud Giracium, ubi comes turrim firmaverat, demum defensabilem incipiens, paulatim provehendo et interdum dissimulando, fortissimam turrim fecit, Giracenses omnes suis adulationibus et favoribus sibi attrahens, et, sacramentis datis et acceptis, in amicitia confoederans. Quod cum comiti renunciatum fuisset, insolentiam eius animadvertens et in futurum timens, ne forte fiducia turris in aliquod deterius consilium reverteretur, turrim in modum domus habitabilis deponere humiliter iubet, increpans eum quod, se inconsulto, tale quid praesumpsisset. Ille vero cum Giracensibus consilium habens pravum, defirito ipsis se auxilium laturos promittentibus, beneficii sibi collati, ut assolet inter degeneres, oblitus, contra comitem recalcitrare, potius quam oboedire, indecenter elegit.

Here at Giracium, where the count had strengthened a tower, having at first begun only a defensible one, by little-by-little advancing it and at times dissembling, he made a most strong tower, drawing all the Giracians to himself by his adulations and favors, and, with oaths given and received, confederating them in friendship. When this had been reported to the count, observing his insolence and fearing for the future, lest perhaps, in confidence of the tower, he might revert to some worse counsel, he humbly orders the tower to be reduced in the fashion of a habitable house, rebuking him because, without consulting him, he had presumed such a thing. But he, taking wicked counsel with the Giracians, they promising that they would bring him aid without fail, forgetful of the benefice conferred upon him—as is wont among degenerates—chose indecently to kick back against the count rather than to obey.

Quod cum comiti compertum fuisset, Giracensibus ut turrim destruant et Ingelmarum captioni suae reddant, imperat. Quibus—non tam fidelitate Ingelmari, sed quia omne genus nostrae gentis illis invisum erat, et magis discordias inter nostros, quam pacem, fieri expectabant—id agere recusantibus, comes, legalitatem suam servans, hactenus homini suo diffidentiam in posterum mandat, sicque, admoto exercitu, versus Giracium obsessum pergit.

When this had been found out by the count, he orders the Giracienses to destroy the tower and to hand over Ingelmar to their custody for arrest. As they refused to do this—not so much out of fidelity to Ingelmar, but because every kind of our nation was hateful to them, and they were expecting rather discord among our people than peace to be made—the count, maintaining his legality, to this extent declares his mistrust of his man for the future; and thus, with the army brought up, he proceeds toward Giracium to lay it under siege.

Ingelmarus vero, astu Giracensium animos demulcens, aliquanto tempore suae ineptiae complices detinuit. At, cum viderent se a comite exterius interiusque praegravari, coeperunt et ipsi a stulto proposito deficere et fatigari. Quod Ingelmarus advertens, territus ne ab ipsis comiti traderetur et ipsi reconciliarentur, profugus evadens, discessit.

Ingelmar, however, with craft soothing the spirits of the Giracenses, for some time detained them as accomplices of his ineptitude. But when they saw themselves overborne by the count from without and within, they too began to defect from their foolish purpose and to grow weary. Noticing this, Ingelmar, afraid lest he be handed over to the count by them and that they be reconciled to him, escaping as a fugitive, departed.

Uxor autem eius, ad misericordiam comitis veniens, pia recordatione nepotis, cuius uxor fuerat, salvis omnibus quae habebat, ad maritum conductum meruit devenire. Comes vero, reconciliatis Graecis, Giracium recepit.

His wife, however, coming to the count’s mercy, through the pious remembrance of his grandson, whose wife she had been, with all that she had kept safe, deserved to obtain a safe-conduct to her husband. The count, moreover, the Greeks having been reconciled, took back Giracium.

XXXII. Eodem anno idem comes, sumptibus pluribus apparatis, undecumque terrarum artificiosis caementariis conductis, fundamenta castelli, turresque apud Messanam iacens, aedificare coepit: cui operi studiosos magistratus, qui operariis praeessent, statuit. Interdum ipse visum veniens, ipsos per semetipsum cohortando festinantiores reddens, brevi tempore turrim et propugnaculum immensae altitudinis mirifico opere consummavit.

32. In the same year the same count, with many expenses prepared, having hired artificious masons from wherever in the world, began to build the foundations of a castle and the towers, the site lying at Messina; for which work he appointed diligent magistrates to preside over the workmen. From time to time he himself, coming for inspection, by exhorting them personally and making them more expeditious, in a short time consummated a tower and a propugnacle of immense height with wondrous workmanship.

Et, quia hanc, quasi clavem Siciliae, aestimabat prae caeteris urbibus quas habebat, fidelibus tutoribus deputatis, arctiori custodia observabat.

And, because he esteemed this, as it were the key of Sicily, before the other cities which he held, with faithful guardians deputed, he kept it under a stricter custody.

Ecclesiam etiam in honore sancti Nicolai in eadem urbe cum summa honorificentia construens, turribus et diversis possessionibus augendo dotaus, clericis ad serviendum deputatis, pontificali sede aptavit; sed eam cum Traynensi cathedra univit .

Also, constructing in the same city, with the highest honor, a church in honor of Saint Nicholas, and, by augmenting it with towers and diverse possessions, endowing it, with clerics deputed to serve, he fitted it out as a pontifical see; but he united it with the Traynense cathedra .

XXXIII. Igitur famosissimus dux Calabriae, Apulorumque princeps, Robertus Guiscardus, apud Bulgaros omnia fortiter agendo et sibi subiugando, anno incarnati Verbi MLXXXII a Romanae Sedis apostolico viro Gregorio, literis continentibus angustiam suam acceptis, ut in adiutorium sanctae Romanae Ecclesiae veniret, multis precibus cohortatur.

33. Therefore the most famous duke of Calabria and prince of the Apulians, Robert Guiscard, while among the Bulgars, doing all things bravely and subjugating them to himself, in the year 1082 of the Incarnate Word, is exhorted by Gregory, the apostolic man of the Roman See, after letters setting forth his distress had been received, with many entreaties, that he should come to the aid of the holy Roman Church.

Imperator enim Alamannorum, Henricus, quibusdam controversiis inter se hortis, Romam cum exercitu veniens, obsessa diutius urbe, tandem, fortuna suffragante, irruperat, Romanisque potentioribus sibi iniugendo confoederatis, ipsum apostolicum virum in turri quadam, quae Crescentii dicitur, reclusum obsederat, aliumque in loco eius, archiepiscopum videlicet Ravennatem, Umbertum nomine, re indiscussa, contra Sacros Canones—quod nefas est dicere!—cathedrae beati Petri subrogaverat. Ipse vero tanta obsidione praegravabatur, ut neque sibi usquam progrediendi aditus pateret.

For the Emperor of the Alamans, Henry, with certain controversies having arisen between them, coming to Rome with an army, the city having been besieged for a long time, at length, fortune favoring, had burst in; and by yoking to himself the more powerful Romans, made confederates, he had besieged that apostolic man himself, shut up in a certain tower which is called of Crescentius, and had subrogated another in his place—namely the archbishop of Ravenna, Umbert by name—the matter unexamined, against the Sacred Canons—which it is impious to say!—to the cathedra of blessed Peter. But he himself was weighed down by so great a siege that no access for advancing anywhere lay open to him.

Dux vero, quamvis ad id quod coeperat intendere omnibus utilitatibus in animo praeferret, tamen calamitatem sanctae Matris Ecclesiae audiens et dominum suum, sub quo omnia, quae habebat, possidere se cognoscebat, in tantum angustiari, fidem datam et legalitatem suam servans, maluit sua, quamvis cara, ad tempus postponere et sanetae Matris Ecclesiae, vel domini sui necessitatibus inservire. Sicque filio suo Boamundo, strenuissimo militi, quae coeperat exequenda committens, copiis omnibus sibi delegatis, ipse cum paucis placido remige in Apuliam, versus Ydrontum applicat .

The Duke, indeed, although he preferred in his mind all advantages toward attending to that which he had begun, yet, hearing the calamity of the holy Mother Church and that his lord, under whom he recognized that he possessed all the things he had, was being so straitened, keeping the faith given and his legality, chose to postpone for a time his own things, however dear, and to serve the necessities of the holy Mother Church, or of his lord. And so, entrusting to his son Bohemond, a most strenuous soldier, the things to be carried out which he had begun, with all the forces delegated to him, he himself with a few, with a placid oar, makes landfall in Apulia, toward Hydruntum .

XXXIV. Ea tempestate, plures apud Apuliam, propter absentiam ducis insolentes, adversus eum conspiraverant, volentes ea, quae eius iuris erant, usurpare: putantes eum, altioribus negotiis intentum, ulterius illuc regredi non curare. Unde et Gaufridus de Conversano apud urbem, quae Oria dicitur, haud longe a provincia Tarentina, obsidionem ponens, plurimum lacessendo infestissimus erat.

34. At that time, several in Apulia, insolent because of the duke’s absence, had conspired against him, wishing to usurp the things that were of his right; supposing that he, intent on loftier affairs, would not care to return thither any further. Whence also Geoffrey of Conversano, by the city which is called Oria, not far from the Tarentine province, laying siege, was most hostile, harassing them to the utmost.

Dux vero, apud Ydrontum applicans, audito urbi obsidionem imminere, illorsum cum paucis appropinquare accelerat. Porro illi, qui obsidionis primarii erant, per legatum ducem adventantem cognoscentes, praesentiam eius exhorrescentes, ab incoepto deterriti, cum plures essent, obsidione soluta, quisque fugam accelerans, in sua dilabitur. Cives autem sic obsessione, qua praegravabantur, eruti, adsenienti duci occurrere accelerantes, cum gaudio et omni obsequio excipiunt.

The Duke, however, putting in at Otranto, on hearing that a siege was threatening the city, hastens with a few to draw near thither. Moreover, those who were the chiefs of the siege, learning through a legate that the duke was approaching, and shuddering at his presence, deterred from their undertaking, although they were more in number, with the siege lifted, each one hastening to flight, slips away to his own. But the citizens, thus delivered from the blockade by which they were grievously burdened, giving assent to the duke and hurrying to meet him, receive him with joy and every obsequious service.

Sed per universam Apuliam, sive Calabriam, seditiones, quas infidelitas turbaverat, a praesentia eius sedatae, in cospectu eius, acsi numquam fuissent, siluerunt.

But throughout all Apulia, and Calabria alike, the seditions which infidelity had perturbed, calmed by his presence, in his sight fell silent as if they had never been.

XXXV. Porro dux, fratre comite a Sicilia arcessito, admoto plurimo exercitu, super Iordanum, nepotem suum, principem Aversae, messes vastatum vadit. Nam cum antea inter ipsos diversis controversiis inimicitiae efferbuissent, hoc ira in principem plurimum incalescebat, quod noviter in damnum apostolici, imperatoris hominem ipsum effectum et terram suam ab ipso deserviendam suscepisse audierat.

35. Moreover the duke, with his brother the count summoned from Sicily, and a very large army brought up, goes to lay waste the harvests of Jordan, his nephew, prince of Aversa. For whereas earlier enmities had boiled over between them from diverse controversies, his wrath against the prince was now especially heating up, because he had heard that recently— to the detriment of the Apostolic See— he had made himself the emperor’s man and had undertaken to hold his land from him in service.

Veniens itaque cum exercitu ante urbem Capuanam, et castrum, quod Aversa dicitur, ipso invito, nec propulsare valente, per octo et eo amplius dies commorans, multa depopulatione totam provinciam lacessivit . Sed quia ipse Iordanus elegantissimus miles erat et elegantissimos secum habebat, multa militariter diversis congressibus utrimque perpetrata sunt.

Coming, therefore, with the army before the city of Capua and the castle which is called Aversa, the man himself being unwilling and not able to repel him, he remained for eight days and more, and with much depredation he provoked the whole province . But because Jordan himself was a most elegant soldier and had the most elegant men with him, many things in military fashion, in diverse encounters, were carried out on both sides.

Inde itaque rediens, per totam Apuliam et Calabriam exercitum perscribens submonet, ut, proxima ventura aestate secum Romam super imperatorem ituri, expensas sive commeatus aptarent.

Therefore, returning thence, enrolling the army throughout all Apulia and Calabria, he gives notice that, with the next summer to come, being about to go with him to Rome against the emperor, they should prepare expenses or provisions.

XXXVI. Comes vero, a fratre, noviter a Bulgaria revertente, invitatus sibi occurrere, versus Apuliam intendens, Iordano, filio suo, Siciliam procurandam delegat, interdicens omnibus, ne quis in iis, quae praeciperet, sibi contrarius esse praesumeret.

36. But the Count, invited by his brother—newly returning from Bulgaria—to meet him, setting his course toward Apulia, delegates to Jordan, his son, Sicily to be administered, forbidding all that anyone presume, in those things which he should prescribe, to be contrary to him.

Erat autem Iordanus ex concubina, tamen magnae viris animi et corporis et magnarum rerum gloriae suae dominationis appetitor. Et iamdudum, consilio pravorum sibi adhaerentium iuvenum tacito sub pectore usus, insurgendi conspirationem versans, hic, discedente patre, locum suae pravae dispositionis, ut sibi videbatur, nactus, plures callide circumveniendo, fidem illorum, necdum negotio peracto, astu abstrahit, ut quaecumque ipse prior inciperet, ipsi complices in perficiendo persisterent. Talibus itaque deceptis, tandem dolum diu dispositum aperit; cum quibusdam displicuerit, et pluribus placet.

Jordan, however, was born of a concubine, yet a man great in mind and body, and an aspirant to the glory of great enterprises for his own dominion. And long since, using under his breast a silent plan with the counsel of depraved youths adhering to him, turning over a conspiracy for uprising, here, with his father departing, having found, as it seemed to him, an occasion for his wicked disposition, by cleverly circumventing many he, the business not yet accomplished, by craft withdraws their loyalty, so that whatever he might first begin, they, his accomplices, would persist in perfecting. Such men thus deceived, at length he reveals the stratagem long arranged; it displeased some, and pleases more.

Quibus quisque et talibus assentire renitens, improbe hortatur, ne fidem datam mentiri velit. Sacramenta patri exibita in hoc salva fore, quod proficiscens, quidquid Iordanus vellet vel praeciperet, omnibus oboedire debere imperaverat. Iordano plura promittente, sic pravi consilii assensus inter plures a Iordano in iis, quae patris erant, ultra quam deceret, vel ab ipso patre concessum erat, praesumitur.

Whoever resisted assenting to these and the like, he wickedly exhorts not to wish to belie their pledged faith. The sacraments (oaths) exhibited to the father would be safe in this respect, that, when departing, he had commanded that all ought to obey whatever Jordan might wish or command. Jordan promising more, thus assent to a depraved counsel among many is presumed by Jordan in the things that were the father’s, beyond what was seemly, or than had been conceded by the father himself.

Nam castrum Sancti Marci et Mistrectam sibi usurpans, detecta fraude, praedas per totam provinciam ibidem introducit. Sed et versus Traynam hostiliter accedens, patris thesauros, qui illuc servabantur, asportare nisus, dispositione sua frustratus, vacuus redit. Nam fideles comitis, fraude comperta, simul convenientes, hostiliter accedentem eum ab ipsis finibus arcent.

For usurping to himself the castle of Saint Mark and Mistretta, the fraud having been detected, he brings in prey from throughout the whole province to that place. But also advancing hostilely toward Traina, attempting to carry off his father’s treasures, which were kept there, his disposition being frustrated, he returns empty-handed. For the count’s faithful, the fraud discovered, convening together, keep him, as he approaches hostilely, away from their own borders.

Quod cum patri renuntiatum fuisset, reditum accelerat; atque, ut vir sapiens, provide agens, ne filius territus ad Saracenos, qui adhuc rebelles erant, transiret, versus eum hostiliter ire dissimulat, sed omnia, quae fecerat filius, iuvenili aetate et indulgentia digna ascribit. At cum filio quae fecerat patrem leviter ferre nuntiatur, minus iis, qui secum erant, prospiciens, flebili foedere interposito, ad patrem accedit.

When this had been reported to the father, he accelerates his return; and, as a wise man, acting providently, lest the son, terrified, should pass over to the Saracens, who were still rebellious, he dissimulates going toward him in hostile fashion, but ascribes all that the son had done as worthy of youthful age and indulgence. But when it is announced to the son that the father lightly bears the things he had done, with less regard for those who were with him, a tearful pact having been interposed, he approaches his father.

Pater ad tempus iram dissimulans, advenienti filio laetum vultum ostendit. Sed, paucis diebus interpositis, pater, in futurum prospiciens, ne si ii, qui tale consilium filio complices facti dederant, impune transirent, alii ad simile, aliquid praesumentes, raperentur, nesciente filio, duodecim priores huius erroris unum post alium sibi arcessens, oculos privari fecit. Quo facto, filium etiam, tali incoepto ulterius compescere terrendo volens, arcessitum, idem causa iustitiae facere fingens minatur.

The father, dissimulating his anger for a time, showed a cheerful countenance to his arriving son. But, after a few days had intervened, the father, looking forward to the future, lest, if those who had given such counsel to the son, having made themselves accomplices, should go unpunished, others, presuming upon something similar, be carried away, without the son’s knowing, summoning to himself, one after another, the twelve foremost of this error, caused them to be deprived of their eyes. This done, wishing also to restrain his son further by terrifying him at such an undertaking, after having him summoned, pretending to do the same on the pretext of justice, he threatens.

Sed a fidelibus suis, quibus ex industria idem agere praedixerat, retentus, territo filio, de caetero pro libitu suo, ut decuit, usus est: nam disciplina et rigor iustitiae cum pace communionem habent, Psalmista attestante, qui ait: Misericordia et veritas obviaverunt sibi; iustitia et pax osculatae sunt. Sic enim misericordia sectanda est, ut iustitia remissior, ultra quam decet, non sit, ne vitia nimium inolescant. Unde et providus pater, ut sapiens medicus, hunc ipsum filium suum, ut a pravitate compesceret, tanto rigore territum attrivit.

But, being held back by his faithful men, to whom by design he had foretold to do the same, with the son terrified, thereafter he dealt with him at his pleasure, as was befitting: for discipline and the rigor of justice have communion with peace, the Psalmist attesting, who says: “Mercy and truth have met one another; justice and peace have kissed.” For mercy is to be followed in such a way that justice be not more remiss than is seemly, lest vices take too deep a root. Whence also the provident father, like a wise physician, wore down this very son, frightened by such rigor, in order to restrain him from depravity.

XXXVII. Anno itaque Dominicae incarnationis MLXXXIII[I], omnibus accuratissime apparatis, equestri plurimo exercitu sed et peditum plurimis copiis, dux versus Romam ab obsidione Imperatoris, infideliumque Romanorum ad liberandum papam Gregorium—qui et Ildebrandus ante susceptum papatum dicebatur—, contraque Caesarem, si necesse sit, nisi cedat, dimicatum leonina ferocitate iter intendit.

37. In the year, therefore, of the Lord’s Incarnation 1083[I], with everything most carefully prepared, with a very numerous cavalry army and also with very many forces of foot-soldiers, the duke, toward Rome, from the siege by the Emperor and the unfaithful Romans, to free Pope Gregory—who also was called Hildebrand before the papacy was undertaken—and, against Caesar, if it should be necessary, unless he yield, for combat with leonine ferocity directed his march.

At, cum iam propre ventum est, incaute incedere volens, ordinatis aciebus, mille electos milites cum totidem vexillis praemittens, aliam aciem cum tribus millibus pedetentim subsequi praecipit; ipse cum reliquo exercitu, peditum copias—et quae infirmiores erant ante se ponens—provide subsequitur . Audierat quippe milites imperatoris sibi occursum ex parte aquae-ductus exisse: sed hoc sibi falso relatum erat. Nam ipse imperator iamdudum multa ex parte exercitum suum a se dimiserat, et cum minori militia, quam accesserat, Romae, nil tale suspicatus, morabatur; dumque hostes adventare praesentiit, suis viribus minus sufficiens et Romanorum fraudem—quamvis se indeficientes illi adesse promitterent—pertimescens, cum maximo dolore animi hostibus cedens, urbe digressus iam ante triduum recesserat. Dux itaque neminem sibi, ut suspicabatur, occursantem hostiliter offendens, libero ad urbem accessu usus, ante portam, qua via Tusculana porrigitur, iuxta aquae-ductum castrametatur; ubi triduo commoratus, urbe undique circumconspecta, quodam diluculo cum mille et trecentis militibus ad portam, quae sancti Laurentii dicitur, sub aquae-ductu iuxta Tiberim, ubi minorem custodiam, nemine in illa parte aliquid suspicante, persensit, accedens, scalis silenter appositis, muros transcendit.

But, when now it had been come near, wishing to advance incautiously, the battle lines having been arrayed, sending ahead a thousand chosen soldiers with just as many standards, he bids another line to follow step by step with three thousand; he himself, with the rest of the army, placing the forces of the foot—and those which were weaker—before himself, prudently follows . For he had heard that the emperor’s soldiers had gone out from the side of the aqueduct to meet him; but this had been reported to him falsely. For the emperor himself long since had dismissed his army from himself in great part, and, with a smaller soldiery than that with which he had arrived, in Rome, suspecting nothing of the sort, he was lingering; and when he perceived that the enemies were approaching, being less sufficient in his own forces and fearing the treachery of the Romans—although they promised that they would be present to him unfailing—yielding to the enemies with the greatest grief of mind, having departed from the city, he had withdrawn already three days before. Therefore the duke, encountering no one opposing him in hostile fashion, as he had suspected, enjoying free access to the city, encamps before the gate by which the Tusculan road is extended, next to the aqueduct; where, having remained for three days, with the city surveyed on all sides, at a certain dawn, with one thousand three hundred soldiers, to the gate which is called of Saint Laurence, under the aqueduct near the Tiber, where he perceived a smaller guard, no one in that part suspecting anything, approaching, with ladders silently placed, he overpasses the walls.

Portisque ferro apertis, suos introducens, per plateas urbis usque ad pontem, in quo suus exercitus praestolabatur, Guiscardum clamoribus ingeminando, civesque terrendo accurrit, portaque vi potius fracta quam reserata, suos intromittens, urbem irrumpit. Sicque directo impetu usque ad turrim Crescentii percurrens, papam eripit, eductumque honore, quo decebat, abducens, palatio Lateranensi restituit; ubi dux prior et onnis exercitus subsequenter cum oblationibus ad pedes eius, debito honore, provoluti, plurimum thesaurorum contulerunt .

And with the gates opened by iron, introducing his men, through the streets of the city up to the bridge on which his army was awaiting, by redoubling shouts of “Guiscard,” and terrifying the citizens, he hastens on; and with the gate broken by force rather than unbarred, letting his men in, he bursts into the city. And thus, running with a direct onset up to the Tower of Crescentius, he snatches the pope away, and leading him out with the honor that was fitting, he restored him to the Lateran palace; where the duke first and the whole army thereafter, with oblations at his feet, prostrated with due honor, contributed a very great amount of treasures .

Porro Romani, viribus resumptis, conspiratione invicem facta, tertia die post congregati, per medias plateas urbis, impetu facto, super nostros irruere conantur. Fit clamor et strepitus in urbe. Nostri, a mensis, quibus assidebant, prorumpentes, ocyus in arma ruunt: hostibus hostes occurrunt: dura frons durae fronti obviatur.

Moreover the Romans, having recovered their strength, a conspiracy made with one another, assembled on the third day thereafter, and through the middle streets of the city, with an attack made, they try to rush upon our men. A clamor and a din arise in the city. Our men, bursting forth from the tables at which they were sitting, swiftly rush to arms: foes meet foes: a hard front is met by a hard front.

Rogerius, filius ducis, cum mille equitibus, nesciente patre, extra urbem a Romanis infestari, citissimus cum impetu advolat. Sed Romanis fortiter insistentibus, nullus impetus praevalebat, donec dux: "Ignem!", exclamans, urbe accensa, ferro et flamma insistit. Tunc demum Romani, incendium ferre non valentes, in fugam vertuntur.

Roger, the duke’s son, with 1,000 horsemen, his father not knowing, on learning that outside the city there was harrying by the Romans, most swiftly flies in with an impetus. But as the Romans stood their ground stoutly, no onrush prevailed, until the duke, exclaiming, “Fire!”, the city ignited, pressed on with iron and flame. Then at last the Romans, not able to endure the conflagration, turn to flight.

Dux fugientes, extremos quosque cedendo, usque ad pontem persequitur. Urbs maxima ex parte incendio, vento admixto accrescente, consumitur. Nostri victores apud Lateranum revertuntur.

The Duke pursues the fugitives, cutting down each of the hindmost, all the way to the bridge. The city, for the greatest part, is consumed by a conflagration, increasing with an admixed wind. Our men, victors, return at the Lateran.

Romani itaque, hostes infra muros sibi imminere cernentes et eorum infestationibus praegravari, ulterius ferre non valentes, consilio inter se prudentiores urbis habito, eligunt sanius, apostolico suo confoederando, reconciliari, quam diutius in excepta ruina persistendo, hostili gladio nullo quaestu ventilari. Sicque, pace expetita, collocutum accedentes, pluribus circumventionibus de excusatione fraudis usi, tandem, venia impetrata,reconciliantur; Sacramentis, pro libito papae et ducis obligati, foederantur. Nostris recedentibus, urbs a calamitate hostili absolvitur.

Thus the Romans, perceiving that enemies were threatening them beneath the walls and that they were being weighed down by their infestations, being no longer able to bear it, counsel having been held among the more prudent men of the city, choose more sanely, by confederating with their own apostolic, to be reconciled, rather than, by persisting longer in the incurred ruin, to be tossed by the hostile sword with no gain. And so, peace having been sought, approaching to a conference, having used multiple circumventions in the excuse of their fraud, at length, pardon having been obtained,reconciled they are; By Sacraments, bound according to the pleasure of the pope and the duke, they are federated. With our men withdrawing, the city is absolved from hostile calamity.

At vir apostolicus, perfidiam Romanorum cognoscens et ulterius obsessione circumveniri cavens, consilio fidelium suorum usus, ad tempus, urbe digrediendo, maluit Romanorum fraudem declinare, quam ibi persistendo, et libera facultate eis concessa de se ipso periculum faciendo utrum ea, quae promittebant, fideliter, an non servarentur tentare, sed cum duce in Apuliam secedens, apud Beneventum venit. Sicque in Apuliae partibus usque ad extremum vitae, Roma invisa, permansit.

But the apostolic man, recognizing the perfidy of the Romans and taking care not to be further encircled by a siege, availing himself of the counsel of his faithful followers, preferred, for a time, by departing from the city, to decline the fraud of the Romans rather than, by persisting there and, a free faculty having been conceded to them, by making danger for himself, to test whether those things which they promised would be kept faithfully or not; but withdrawing with the duke into Apulia, he came to Beneventum. And so in the parts of Apulia, with Rome unvisited, he remained until the extremity of his life.

XXXVIII. Roma, quondam bellipotens toto orbe florida,
Colla superborum domans, perlustrabas climata!
Leges dabas et habenis temparabas omnia.

38. Rome, once bellipotent, flowering in the whole orb,
Taming the necks of the proud, you were thoroughly traversing the climes!
You were giving laws and tempering all things with the reins.

Ante te tremebant duces, principes, imperia.
Curvabantur colla regum loris tuis domita:
Nil superba resistebant, ense tuo territa.
Ordinabas quad volebas.

Before you, generals, princes, empires trembled.
The necks of kings were bent, tamed by your reins:
No haughty powers withstood, terrified by your sword.
You ordained what you wished.

Duces sive principes
     Deponebas superbos, servos dans humiles.
Artibus his exercuisti, iustos habens iudices.
     Dumque iusta sectabaris, fruebaris prosperis
Leges a te requirebant onnes reges saeculi:
     Sententia per te data indivulsa perstitit.

Leaders or princes
     you were deposing the proud, giving the humble as slaves.
By these arts you exercised, having just judges.
     And while you were pursuing just things, you were enjoying prosperities
From you all the kings of the age were requiring laws:
     A sentence given through you stood unbroken.

Tempore haud longo talibus studiis,
     Implicaris fraude tua turpibus negotiis;
Fraude tua clarescente moeres despicabilis.
     Te iam nulli pertimescunt, terga praebes omnibus:
Arma tua hebetata carent acuminibus.
     Leges tuae depravatae, plenae falsitatibus !
In te cuncta prava vigent: luxus, avaritia,
     Fides nulla, nullus ordo, pestis simoniaca
Gravat omnes fines suos, cuncta sunt venalia.

In no long time with such pursuits,
     you are entangled by your own fraud in base dealings;
As your fraud grows conspicuous, you are deemed despicable.
     No one now fears you; you offer your back to all:
Your arms, blunted, lack points.
     Your laws depraved, full of falsities !
In you all depraved things thrive: luxury, avarice,
     no good faith, no order, the simoniacal plague
weighs down all its borders; all things are for sale.

Per te ruit sacer ordo, aqua primum prodiit.
Non sufficit papa unus, binis gaudes infulis.
Fides sua solidatur sumptibus exhibitis.

Through you the sacred order collapses; the water has come forth first.
One pope does not suffice; you rejoice in twin fillets.
Faith itself is solidified by expenditures exhibited.

Dum dat iste, pulsas illum, hoc cessante, revocas.
Illo istum ministraris, sic imples marsupias.
Cuncto orbi das errorem, haec miscendo schismata.

While this man gives, you drive that one out; when this one ceases, you call him back.
By that man you manage this one; thus you fill your money-bags.
You give error to the whole world, by mixing these schisms.

Ni cessassent bonae artis in te prima studia,
Nulli regi de te posset cessisse victoria.
Miles quidem est normannus, qui te victam superat.
Non terret te Apostolorum sacra praesentia?

If the first studies of good art had not ceased in you,
To no king could victory over you have yielded.
A Norman is indeed a soldier, who overcomes you, vanquished.
Does not the sacred presence of the Apostles terrify you?

     Nec revocant ab incoeptis te sanctorum pignora?
Fons quondam totius laudis, nunc es fraudis fovea:
     Moribus es depravata exhausta nobilibus,
Pravis studiis inservis, nec est pudor frontibus.
     Surge Petre, summe pastor, finem pone talibus!

     Do not the pledges of the saints recall you from your undertakings?
Once the fount of all praise, now you are a pit of fraud:
     In morals you are depraved, exhausted of nobles,
You serve perverse studies, nor is there shame on your brows.
     Rise, Peter, supreme pastor, put an end to such things!

XXXIX. Duce itaque apud Romam apostolicis necessitatibus inserviente, Boamundus, filius eius, apud Bulgaros, ubi a patre relictus erat, strenue agens, patris vices haud graviter exequebatur, urbemque, quae Arta dicitur, obsidens, plurimum infestus persistendo capere omnibus artibus nitebatur. Porro imperator, audiens urbem sui iuris hostibus praegravari, ducemque, quem plurimum pertimescebat, recessisse, absentia eius viribus resumptis, exercitu admoto, urbi succurrendum multis copiis parat.

39. Therefore, with the duke at Rome attending to apostolic necessities, Bohemond, his son, among the Bulgars, where he had been left by his father, acting strenuously, was by no means heavily failing to discharge his father’s functions; and, besieging the city which is called Arta, being exceedingly hostile, by persisting he strove to capture it by every art. Furthermore, the emperor, hearing that a city of his own right was being grievously weighed down by enemies, and that the duke, whom he greatly dreaded, had withdrawn, with strength resumed by his absence, the army brought up, prepares to bring succor to the city with many forces.

Sed venienti Boamundus occurrens, certamine inito, bellum conserit. In primo congressu, qui primum accesserant, collisi sternuntur, subsequentes visu terrentur: fuga initur . Imperator cum primis fugientibus esse utile fugam capere ducit. Quo fugato, Boamundus victor efficitur.

But Bohemond, running to meet the one coming, the contest having been initiated, joins battle. In the first encounter, those who had first approached, colliding, are laid low; the ones following are terrified at the sight: flight is initiated . The emperor judges it useful to take flight with the foremost fugitives. With him routed, Bohemond is made the victor.

XL. Quod cum duci, cum triumphali gloria a Roma revertenti, renuntiatum fuisset, filium a se non degenerare cognoscens, plurimum laetabatur, et in eo maxime, quod uno in tempore duorum imperatorum fuga triumphali gloria laus sibi suisque concessa sit . Veniens itaque in Apuliam, ministros suos undecumque convocans, omnibus suis ordinatissime dispositis, plurimo exercitu versus Graeciam, quam ceperat, executum accelerare disponit.

40. When this had been reported to the duke, as he was returning from Rome with triumphal glory, recognizing that his son did not degenerate from himself, he rejoiced exceedingly, and especially in this: that at one and the same time, at the flight of two emperors, praise with triumphal glory had been granted to himself and his own . Coming therefore into Apulia, summoning his ministers from everywhere, with all his affairs arranged in the most orderly fashion, with a very great army toward Greece, which he had seized, he resolves to hasten to execute it.

Navibus denique mense semptembri a tota Apulia, Calabria atque Sicilia apud Ydrontum conflatis , copiisque necessariis introductis, prospera aura suffragante, optato portu applicans, fllium et quos cum ipsos apud extremas partes dimiserat, de reditu suo sollicitando anhelos, plurimum laetitiae seipsum repraesentando reddidit. Sicque ad quod venerat exequens, omnem patriam suo reditu turbabat, urbibus infestus, obsessionibus assiduus, persistendo indefessus, congressibus prior, excubiis numquam absens, nunc minis terrendo, nunc blandimentis mulcendo, imperium, sollicitum reddens, ante se tremere faciebat.

Finally, with the ships, in the month of September, from all Apulia, Calabria, and Sicily gathered together at Hydruntum, and the necessary supplies brought aboard, with a favorable breeze assisting, making landfall at the longed-for port, he rendered his son, and those whom he had left with him in the farthest parts, panting from soliciting his return, exceedingly joyful by presenting himself. And thus, accomplishing that for which he had come, he was throwing the whole fatherland into turmoil by his return, hostile to the cities, assiduous in sieges, indefatigable in persistence, first in engagements, never absent from the watches, now terrifying with threats, now softening with blandishments; making the empire, rendered anxious, to tremble before him.

XLI. Mirabile quoddam praesagium, quod per totam Apuliam, Calabriam sive Siciliam visum est, huic operi inserere dignum nobis visum est, maxime quod ea, quae tale signum portendebat, nos ex parte non ignorare putamus.

41. A certain marvelous presage, which was seen throughout all Apulia, Calabria, or Sicily, has seemed to us worthy to insert into this work, especially since we think that we are in part not ignorant of the things which such a sign portended.

Anno denique incarnati Verbi MLXXXIV, sexto die mensis februarii, inter sextam et nonam, sol obscuratus est per spatium trium horarum, in tantum, ut qui infra domos alicui operi insudabant, non nisi luminibus accensis interim quae coeperant, exequi possent; qui vero de domo ad domum transmigrare volebant, lanternis vel facibus uterentur. Quae res multos perterruit .

In the year, finally, of the Incarnate Word 1084, on the sixth day of the month of February, between the sixth and the ninth, the sun was darkened for the space of three hours, to such an extent that those who were sweating at some work within houses could not, except with lights kindled, meanwhile carry out the things which they had begun; but those who wished to move from house to house made use of lanterns or torches. This matter terrified many .

Sed, antequam annus pertransisset, significatio talis eclypsis, in quantum nos putamus, pluribus cum maximo damno praeclaruit. Nam eodem anno venerabilis papa Gregorius,—cuius superius mentio facta est—infirmitatis suae a medicis medicamentum expetens, frustratis medicaminibus, obiit. Dux, iulio mense, et famosissimus rex Anglorum et Normannorum, dux Guillelmus, nono die septembris, moriuntur.

But, before the year had passed, the signification of such an eclipse, in so far as we suppose, became very evident to many, with the greatest loss. For in the same year the venerable Pope Gregory,—of whom mention was made above—seeking from the physicians a medicament for his infirmity, the medicaments proving futile, died. The Duke, in the month of July, and the most famous king of the English and the Normans, Duke William, on the 9th day of September, died.

Ducis vero exequias uxor Sichelgayta cum filio Rogerio, qui tunc cum ipso apud Bulgaros morabatur, et caeteri barones eius debito honore, non tamen sine iustitia exequentes, funus transmeatum Venusium humatum perferunt.

Indeed, his wife Sichelgayta, with his son Roger—who at that time was staying with him among the Bulgars—and his other barons, carrying out the duke’s exequies with due honor, yet not without justice, convey the funeral across and have him interred at Venusia.

Graecia, hostibus recedentibus, libera, laeta quievit. Apulia tota, sive Calabria, turbatur.

Greece, the enemies receding, free and glad, grew quiet. All Apulia, or Calabria, is disturbed.

XLII. Nam, fratribus Rogerio et Boamundo, utroque ducatum appetente, inter se dissidentibus, et pluribus—nunc ab isto, nunc ab illo incrementa expetendo—lucrum suum quaerentibus, multorum Apulorum fides, quanta fuerit, experimento claruit.

42. For, with the brothers Roger and Bohemond, each desiring the duchy, being at odds with one another, and many—now seeking increments from this one, now from that one—pursuing their own profit, the loyalty of many Apulians, how great it was, became clear by experience.

Rogerius tandem adiutorio avunculi sui, Siculorum comitis, Rogerii, qui, vivente fratre, idem sibi promiserat, dux efficitur. Omnia castella Calabriae, quorum necdum nisi medietatem cuiusquam comes Rogerius habebat, a nepote ad plenum sibi concessa, consignantur.

Roger, at length, by the assistance of his maternal uncle, Roger, count of the Sicilians—who, while his brother was living, had promised the same to him—is made duke. All the castles of Calabria, of which Count Roger as yet held only the half-share of any, having been conceded to him in full by his nephew, are consigned.

Nunc itaque, quia suprema dies tanti principis loquendi de ipso, quantum ad librum, finem facit, finis quoque—ut mihi videtur—huius libri hic ponendum est, ut, de novo duce mixtim cum comite loquens, novus liber subsequatur.

Now therefore, since the supreme day of so great a prince makes an end of speaking about him, so far as the book is concerned, the end also—as it seems to me—of this book is to be set here, so that, speaking of the new duke in mixed fashion together with the count, a new book may follow.

Tertii libri finis.

The end of the third book.