Guiscard, hearing of descent by Henry IV, returned to Italy, warning Bohemond to persevere against Alexios

Summary:
When preparations for war against Alexios I were going well, Guiscard was suddenly informed by a messenger that Henry IV of Germany was about to invade Italy. This was a danger in itself, and also brought up the problem of providing for his younger son Bohemond as well as the firstborn Roger. Guiscard gathered his counts and announced that he had to return to Italy to defend it against Henry. He told them that Bohemond was now ruler of his conquests in Epiros beyond the Adriatic, telling them to obey him. He turned to Bohemond and told him not to dictate to the counts but to work with them, and to fight persistently against Alexios, respecting his experience and bewaring of overconfidence because of the victory already won. Guiscard and Gregorios VII marched to meet Henry, who at first was keen to carry out his promises to Alexios I to invade Lombardy, but later, when he heard of the disasters of 1081, was reluctant to run risks and withdrew 
Dates:
1082 May 
messenger to Robert Guiscard at Dyrrachion (Anonymus 15039)
  • Announced to Robert 61 at Dyrrachion that Henry 54 was about to invade Longibardia (:) ἀπαγγέλλων τὴν τοῦ ῥηγὸς Ἀλαμανίας εἰς Λογγιβαρδίαν ὅσον ἤδη ἄφιξιν Anna Komnene 147.79-81
Bohemond of Taranto (Bohemond 61)
  • He had been given no territory when Roger 15001 was made heir of Robert 61 in Italy; now that Italy was being invaded by Henry 54, Robert put Bohemond in control of his conquests across the Adriatic (:) Anna Komnene 147.82-98
  • He was invited by Robert 61 to a meeting with his counts, at which he was announced as ruler of Robert's possessions across the Adriatic; he was told to work with the counts without dictating, and warned to keep up the fight against Alexios 1, with respect for his experience (:) Anna Komnene 147.86-148.23
  • Received no territory from his father who had made his other son Roger 15001 his heir [Anna mistakenly describes Bohemond as a younger son in explanation] (:) Anna Komnene 147.82-87
  • Robert 61 called together his counts and the select of his army and presented him to them (:) μετακαλεσάμενος τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ Βαϊμοῦντον τὸν Σανίσκον δημηγόρος προὐκάθητο Anna Komnene 147.84-87
  • Robert 61 granted him conquered lands, but Roger 15001 the patrimony of South Italy (:) ἐπαφίημι τό τε Δυρράχιον καὶ τὸν Αὐλῶνα καὶ τὰς λοιπὰς πόλεις καὶ νήσους ὅσας φθάσας αὐτὸς τὠμῷ δόρατι κατέσχον Anna Komnene 147.1-5
  • Received from his father advice on how to treat his men and pursue the war against the Romans (:) σὺ δὲ ἀλλ᾿ ὅρα μὴ καταμελήσῃς τὸν κατὰ τοῦ βασιλέως Ῥωμαίων ἀναπράξασθαι πόλεμον Anna Komnene 147.5-148.23
Pope Gregory VII (Gregorios 27)
  • He joined Robert 61 in marching against Henry 54; the latter, who was at first keen to keep aggressive promises made to Alexios 1, later heard of the disasters of 1081 and retired (:) Anna Komnene 148.23-40
Henry IV, king of Germany and western emperor (Henry 54)
  • The announcement of his descent into Italy came just as the preparations of Robert 61 against Alexios 1 were going well; as well as direct danger, this also raised the question of how Robert was to provide for Bohemond 61 as well as Roger 15001 (:) Anna Komnene 147.79-85
  • He was at first enthusiastic to keep his promises made to Alexios 1 to invade Lombardy; but later, when he heard of the lost battle and other disasters of 1081, he became more reluctant, and withdrew before the advance of Robert 61 and Gregorios 27 (:) Anna Komnene 148.23-40
Robert Guiscard (Robert 61)
  • When preparations for war against Alexios 1 were going well, he was suddenly informed by Anonymus 15039 that Henry 54 was about to invade Italy; this was a danger, and also brought up the problem of providing for Bohemond 61 as well as Roger 15001 (:) Anna Komnene 147.79-85
  • He gathered his barons and announced that he had to return to Italy to defend it against Henry 54; he told them that Bohemond 61 was now ruler of his conquests beyond the Adriatic, telling them to obey him (:) Anna Komnene 147.85-5
  • He turned to Bohemond 61 and told him not to dictate to the counts but to work with them, and to fight persistently against Alexios 1, respecting his experience and bewaring of overconfidence because of the victory already won (:) Anna Komnene 147.5-148.23
  • He and Gregorios 27 marched to meet Henry 54, who at first was keen to carry out his promises to Alexios 1 to invade Lombardy, but later, when he heard of the disasters of 1081, was reluctant to run risks and withdrew (:) Anna Komnene 148.23-40