Duchy of Naples
This article is about the specific polity Duchy of Naples and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.
If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics
Began as a Byzantine province that was constituted in the seventh century, in the reduced coastal lands that the Lombards had not conquered during their invasion of Italy in the sixth century. It was governed by a military commander, and rapidly became a de facto independent state.
Establishment
January 764: The formation of the Duchy of Naples was a gradual process, leading to an ever-increasing importance of the dux, who in 638 finally became the highest civil and military authority. In 763, Duke Stefano II of Naples minted local coins, with the effigy of the patron saint and his own monogram. According to some historians, the autonomy of the duchy dates back to then, but it continued to be part, at least nominally, of the Byzantine Empire.
Chronology
Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation
The Magyars (or Hungarians) successfully conquered the Carpathian Basin (corresponding to the later Kingdom of Hungary) by the end of the ninth century, and launched a number of plundering raids thoughout Europe.
January 922: In 921, the Hungarians raided Italy, reaching Apulia in 922.
February 922: In 921, the Hungarians raided Italy, reaching Apulia in 922. The territories were left after the raid.
January 928: The Hungarians marched up to Rome and imposed large tribute payments on Tuscany and Tarento.
February 928: The Hungarians marched up to Rome and imposed large tribute payments on Tuscany and Tarento. After the raid, the Hungarians left these territories.
January 938: In 937, the Hungarians raided France as far west as Reims, Lotharingia, Swabia, Franconia, the Duchy of Burgundy and Italy as far as Otranto in the south.
February 938: In 937, the Hungarians raided France as far west as Reims, Lotharingia, Swabia, Franconia, the Duchy of Burgundy and Italy as far as Otranto in the south. After the ride they left these territories.
January 948: In 947, Bulcsú, a Hungarian chieftain of Taksony, led a raid into Italy as far as Apulia.
February 948: In 947, Bulcsú, a Hungarian chieftain of Taksony, led a raid into Italy as far as Apulia.
Were a series of wars between the Byzantines and the Normans in southern italy and the Balkan Peninsula.
2.1.Norman conquest of southern Italy
Were a series of military campaigns by Norman forces that slowly conquered southern Italy from the Bizyntine Empire and from local Lombard rulers.
2.1.1.Norman Conquest of Naples
The Duchy of Naples is conquered by the Normans.
October 1137: On 30 October 1137, the last Duke of Naples died in the king's service at the Battle of Rignano. The defeat at Rignano enabled the Norman conquest of Naples, since Sergius died without heir and the Neapolitan nobility could not reach a succession agreement.
January 819: Naples returned for a short time under the direct control of the Byzantines, who sent their officials.
January 822: In 821, with Stephen III, however, the ducal office returned to the local ruling class.
January 839: The Principality of Benevento conquered Amalfi under Duke Sicardo.
September 839: On September 1, 839, Amalfi obtained administrative autonomy (although there was formal protection of Byzantium through the Duchy of Naples); it was a de facto freedom.
January 1028: In 1027 Duke Sergio IV of Naples donated the county of Aversa to the Norman mercenary band of Rainulfo Drengot, who had joined him in yet another war against the principality of Capua, thus creating the first Norman settlement in southern Italy.
Disestablishment
October 1137: On 30 October 1137, the last Duke of Naples died in the king's service at the Battle of Rignano. The defeat at Rignano enabled the Norman conquest of Naples, since Sergius died without heir and the Neapolitan nobility could not reach a succession agreement.
Selected Sources
Leyser, K. (1982): Medieval Germany and its neighbours, 900-1250, London (UK), p. 50
Makkai, L. (1990): The Hungarians' prehistory, their conquest of Hungary and their raids to the west to 955, in: A History of Hungary, Bloomington (USA) p. 8-14
Reuter, T. (1995): The New Cambridge Medieval History: c. 900-c. 1024, Cambridge (UK), p. 543
Reuter, T. (1995): The New Cambridge Medieval History: c. 900-c. 1024, Cambridge University Press, p. 543
Sugar, P. F. / Hanák, P. (1994): A History of Hungary, Bloomington (USA), p. 13
Timothy R. (1995) The New Cambridge Medieval History Volume 3, c. 900-c. 1024, Cambridge (UK), p. 543
