Richard, Count of Acerra

Richard, count of Acerra (died 30 November 1196[1]) was an Italo-Norman nobleman, grandson of Robert of Medania,[citation needed] a Frenchman of Anjou.

[citation needed] Brother of Sibylla, queen of Tancred of Sicily, Richard was the chief peninsular supporter of his brother-in-law during his claim for the throne in 1189.

[2] Richard then led his army on a march across the Balkan peninsula and by August 6 he had begun his Siege of Thessalonica.

Richard then "raised a great army of Romans and men from Campania and the Regno to attack the Capuans and Aversans.

Later, when the Emperor Henry VI, the only remaining claimant against Tancred, invaded the Terra di Lavoro, Richard took refuge in Naples.

The latter was still alive after two days when a certain German jester called Leather-Bag [Follis], hoping to please the emperor, tied a large stone to his neck and shamefully put him to death.