[February 22] Roger, duke of Apulia

Surname: "The Purse" (Borsa)
Date of Birth: c. 1507

House: Hauteville

Reign: 1085 – 1111

Predecessor: Robert

Summary: Roger was never destined to rule the expansive and wealthy duchy of Apulia following the death of his father, Robert. Yet his mother disagreed and convinced the duke that his younger son should be his heir. When Robert became ill at Trani in 1073, Roger was proclaimed heir. For the next ten years, Roger campaigned with his father in Greece and Italy. The old duke died in 1085, Roger claimed the lot of the Hauteville possessions despite claims by his brother, Bohemond.

Roger raced back to Apulia to meet his mother and claim the ducal crown. Roger I, king of Sicily, supported the claim and Roger spent the next few years reclaiming lands his brother had taken. Yet despite occasional alliances, Roger and Bohemond feuded for the entirety of his reign, causing anarchy in Apulia for the duration. Roger still was the official duke and was recognized by Pope Urban II in 1089. Roger continued campaigns against autonomous and independent regions in Apulia. He defeated William, count of Monte Sant'Angelo, a Byzantine vassal, and made him dependent to Apulia. Roger died in 1111 and was succeeded by William II, his son, who was a weak ruler and allowed the state to be inherited by Roger II of Sicily in 1127. Bohemond died a month after Roger's death.

Date of Death: 22 February 1111

Successor: William II

Other Monarchs Who Died Today:

• Otto, duke of Burgundy (965)
• Arnulf III, count of Flanders (1071)
• David II, king of Scots (1371)
• Salim Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, emir of Kuwait (1921)