Her rule occurred between the previous reign of multiple Arabian dynasties and the formal declaration of the Kingdom of Sicily, placing her between two massive shifts in Sicilian identity.

Under Adelaide, the economic and social shifts of Norman conquest led to many rebellions and societal tension, which she handled with frightening swiftness.

Characteristics such as their penchant for overcoming exile and a need for conquest dominated the scarce primary sources and heavily skewed perception of Normans to masculinity.

This impacted and downplayed Adelaide’s role as regent significantly, marking her as an interim ruler between her son’s minority.

[1] The writings of the Norman monk Orderic Vitalis recount that Adelaide put an end to these episodes of insurgency with severity.

Arnulf of Chocques, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, suggested that Baldwin marry Adelaide, as Roger II was now old enough to rule Sicily alone.

Pope Paschal II agreed to reinstate him in 1116, provided that he annul the marriage between Baldwin and Adelaide.