Margaritus of Brindisi

Margaritus of Brindisi (also Margarito; Italian: Margaritone, Greek: Megareites or Margaritoni [Μαργαριτώνη]; c. 1149 – 1197), called "the new Neptune", was the last great ammiratus ammiratorum (Grand Admiral) of the Kingdom of Sicily.

Margaritus, with 60 ships and 200 knights, patrolled the Palestine coast constantly, preventing Saladin from taking any of the vital seaports of the Latin crusader kingdom.

On 4 October 1190, Margaritus, the strategos Jordan du Pin, and many other nobles of Messina were forced to flee when the English king Richard the Lionheart sacked the city and burnt it.

Margaritus came to the city's defence, harassing Henry's Pisan navy, nearly destroying the late-arriving Genoese contingent, and keeping the harbour approaches open.

The fleet was augmented by fifty galleys from King Richard the Lionheart, who was forced to promise his support as part of the conditions of his release from a German prison.

According to Roger of Howden, Henry confirmed Margaritus as admiral and gave him the "duchy of Durazzo" (ducatus de Duraz), by which he probably means Cephalonia, Zakynthos and Ithaca.

Europe, with 12th-century Norman possessions in color, and M marking points of action of Margaritus of Brindisi
Margaritus with Sibylla and the alleged plotters
The signature of Margaritus of Brindisi