Capture of Otranto, by trickery

Summary:
Malapetzes, defender of Otranto with Russian and Varangian troops, had a niece whose fine old house abutted on to the walls of the city. He did not realise it was a security hazard. The Norman count attacking Otranto [Geoffrey of Taranto?], following several failed attempts at capture, got in touch with Malapetzes' niece, sent her gifts, and promised to marry her if she allowed troops into the city through her house. She succumbed to desire, and let them into the city with ropes during he night. Malapetzes left Otranto, abandoning his wife and children to the Normans 
Dates:
1064 (guess) 
niece of Malapetzes, defender of Otranto (Anonyma 119)
  • Was sent many gifts with a promise by the leader of the Franks (Anonymus 281) to marry her provided that she allowed his troops through the walls (which her house abutted), succumbed to desire, and helped them with ropes into Otranto during the night (:) ὑπὸ τῆς ἐπιθυμίας ὑποσυρεῖσα κατένευσε Kekaumenos 116.2-10
wife of Malapetzes, defender of Otranto (Anonyma 120)
  • Was abandoned to the Franks together with her children (Anonymi 136) by her husband (Anonymus 281 Malapetzes) who fled on a ship when the enemy entered Otranto (:) τὴν δὲ γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ τέκνα κατέλιπε εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τῶν ἐχθρῶν Kekaumenos 116.15-19
children of Malapetzes, defender of Otranto (Anonymi 136)
  • Were abandoned to the Franks together with their mother (Anonyma 120) by their father (Anonymus 281 Malapetzes) who fled on a ship when the enemy entered Otranto (:) τὴν δὲ γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ τέκνα κατέλιπε εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τῶν ἐχθρῶν Kekaumenos 116.15-19
Malapetzes (Malapezza), defender of Otranto (Anonymus 280)
  • Defended Otranto together with Russian and Varangian troops, but did not demolish a house abutting the walls because it was old, valuable and belonged to his niece (Anonyma 119), and he did not consider it a security hazard (:) τὸ μὲν ὡς ἀρχαίου, τὸ δὲ καὶ ὡς πολυτίμου, πῇ δὲ καὶ ὡς τῆς ἀνεψιᾶς αὐτοῦ ὄντος, ἐφείσατο αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐ κατέλυσεν αὐτόν Kekaumenos 114.20-28
  • Fled on a ship abandoning his wife and children (Anonyma 120, Anonymi 136) to the Franks when the latter entered Otranto after his niece (Anonyma 119) let them in through her house abutting the walls (:) τὴν δὲ γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ τέκνα κατέλιπε εἰς τὰς χεῖρας τῶν ἐχθρῶν Kekaumenos 116.15-19
Norman leader, conqueror of Otranto (Geoffrey of Taranto?) (Anonymus 281)
  • Following several failed attempts to take Otranto, he promised to the niece of the city's defender (Anonyma 119) to marry her, provided that she allowed his troops through the walls (which her house abutted), and sent her many gifts (:) καὶ ὀμνύει αὐτῇ, δοὺς αὐτῇ καὶ δῶρα πολλά Kekaumenos 116.2-6
Geoffrey, count of Taranto (Geoffrey 10101)
  • He captured Otranto (: ) Anonymus Barensis 152