|
Dromo's Den
|
|
[Up] [Dromo's Den] Bohemund Biography BOHEMUND I (Lat. Bohemundus) (c.1055-1111). The eldest son of Robert Guiscard, the Norman Duke of Apulia and Calabria, born some time between 1052 and 1060. He distinguished himself in the war carried on by his father against Alexius Comnenus (1081-85). Robert Guiscard died in 1085, leaving his property to his younger son, Roger, but Bohemund fought with the latter until 1089, when a peace was made by which Bohemund received a part of Apulia. When the First Crusade was preached, Bohemund saw in it an opportunity for extending his possessions. He was the ablest of all the Crusaders, and as long as he remained with them was really their leader, although not officially recognized as such. In June, 1098, when Antioch was captured, he received it as a principality and remained there, taking no further part in the expedition against Jerusalem. In August, 1100, he was captured by the Mussulmans and held a prisoner until May, 1103. During his absence his cousin, Tancred, ruled over Antioch. In 1104, after suffering a great defeat, he returned to the west to seek aid, and (1106) while in France married Constance, the daughter of Philip I. In 1107 he found himself at the head of a large army of adventurers, who had been attracted by his renown. Instead of returning to Antioch he led his forces against the Greek Empire, with which he had been at enmity since 1038. He failed, and after a year's fighting a peace was made by which Bohemund became the vassal of the Emperor for his principality of Antioch. He never returned to Syria, going instead to Apulia, where he died in 1111, Consult Hagenmeyer's Gesta Francorum (Heidelberg, 1890), which, in the notes, gives full reference to all facts. The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. III (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 459. |