Robert II of Capua

At the start of 1128, Honorius II granted investiture to Robert which made the principalities of Capua independent from Apulia.

The pope endeavoured to gain Robert's loyalty to help defeat Roger II of Sicily in return for remissions of his sins.

In 1129, however, Robert submissively surrendered suzerainty to the duke of Apulia[3] and, the next year (on 25 December 1130) it was believed by Falco of Benevento that, as Roger's vassal-in-chief, laid the crown on his head at his royal coronation.

This is difficult to believe as it was such a crucial role and Roger II would not have wanted Robert, as one of his vassals, to perform such an important task, even if he was one of the highest rank.

In Spring 1137, the emperor came down with Pope Innocent II; Henry the Proud, duke of Bavaria; and a large force.

However, following Roger's death in 1154, there was a revolt on the mainland, led by Robert II of Basunvilla, cousin of the new king William I.

[7] When William was excommunicated by Pope Adrian IV, and with (unjustified) rumours that the Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa was set to invade southern Italy, Prince Robert was tempted to make a comeback.

[9] Robert left a son named Jordan who lived in Constantinople, where he served the Emperor Manuel I Comnenus as sebastos and diplomat.

Southern Italy in 1112 CE showing the major states and cities. Smaller states and city-states, usually under the suzerainty or vassalage of the larger states, are not shown.