Further successes in Italy, despite death of Michael Palaiologos

Summary:
 
Dates:
1156 
Alexander of Gravina (Conversano) (Alexandros 17001)
  • Commanded the French troops in reinforcements sent to Italy by Manuel 1 (:) Kinnamos 148.4-5
  • Ruled Gravina which was captured by the Byzantines (:) Kinnamos 150.19-20
Asclettin, chancellor of William I (Asclettin 17001)
  • Learning that the Byzantines were besieging Andria, pillaging the surroundings and advancing towards him, he moved with his whole army to the strong point of Molfetta (:) ὁ Γιλιέλμου στράταρχος Kinnamos 148.7-10
  • Led the 10 commanders of William 4016'’s forces at Bosco, who debated and decided to attack the Byzantine camp with superior numbers and weaponry (:) ὁ καντζιλέριος Kinnamos 149.12-20
Ioannes Doukas, military commander in Italy (Ioannes 17010)
  • Was encouraged to go on an attack by Michael 62 on his deathbed, when tonsure brought some relief; but he returned within 3 days to find Michael dead; he buried him and became sole general, taking the army towards Brindisi (:) Kinnamos 151.7-22
  • Attacked Bosco, an inaccesible fortress where Richard 17001 reared a variety of beasts for hunting; skirmished and camped to attack on the morrow; the battle was fierce all day, marked by vain attempt by two guardsmen to burn the city gate (:) Kinnamos 148.10-149.12
  • Captured Polymilion, then by enthusiasm and luck he captured Mottola; defeated a large army under Flameng 17001 and captured Massafra and its rich supplies, and then by mere appearance near Taranto he defeated Flameng again (:) Kinnamos 152.12-153.23
  • After arranging a one-month armistice with Monopoli, he was asked twice for help by Robert 17001; replied that the Byzantines were not in Italy to help but to be helped (confirmed by the treaty between them): in association with Michael 62 (:) Kinnamos 147.3-17
  • When the Sicilians at Bosco attacked his camp he spoke to his men; the battle was fierce and going badly till his own deeds inspired the Byzantines to victory; with many enemy killed and in flight, he soon captured Bosco and returned to Bari (:) Kinnamos 149.22-150.17
  • When Robert 17001 persisted in asking for help, he marched briefly to Bitetto and bound him with new oaths because of rumours he had thought of treachery with Richard 17001; after that he was above suspicion: in association with Michael 62 (:) Kinnamos 147.17-148.1
  • Wanted to conciliate Robert 17001, who asked Michael 62 for a loan of 10,000 gold pieces but was offered only 4,000 as a gift and was thus offended and left the camp; Ioannes gave him the loan, and took him with the whole army towards Massafra (:) Kinnamos 152.2-1
Ioannes Angelos, son-in-law of Theodora porphyrogennetos (Ioannes 17011)
  • Had general command of Manuel 1'’s fleet of Alan and French reinforcements (:) Kinnamos 148.6-7
Ioannikios Kritoples, military commander in Italy (Ioannikios 17001)
  • With some Georgians and Alans he made a successful skirmish among the Sicilians outside Brindisi, inflicting losses and capturing horses and a standard; but most Sicilians did not even notice: in association with Bairam 17001 (:) ἅμα ῎Ιβηρσι καὶ Μασαγέταις Kinnamos 167.4-13
  • Commanded the Alan troops in reinforcements sent to Italy by Manuel 1 (:) Kinnamos 148.3-4
Emperor Manuel I Komnenos (Manuel 1)
  • His preoccupation with problems in Asia began before the conclusion of peace in the West: with Kilic Arslan 52, Toros 102 (Cilicia) and Yaghi-Basan 17001 (Pontos) (:) Kinnamos 176.1-10
  • Sent Alexios 17005 in command of further land and sea reinforcements to Italy, telling him to raise more troops before going; but he did not (or could not), as all feared the journey and the fighting (:) Kinnamos 164.22-165.7
  • Until the death of Michael 62 his wars in Italy were going well, with the capture of Montepeloso and Gravina, many other towns and 50 villages; the Byzantine armies seemed invincible and William 51 lost allies. But then it changed (:) Kinnamos 150.18-151.7
Michael Palaiologos, commander in Italy under Manuel I (Michael 62)
  • After arranging a one-month armistice with Monopoli, he was asked twice for help by Robert 17001; replied that the Byzantines were not in Italy to help but to be helped (confirmed by the treaty between them): in association with Ioannes 17010 (:) Kinnamos 147.3-17
  • When Robert 17001 persisted in asking for help, he marched briefly to Bitetto and bound him with new oaths because of rumours he had thought of treachery with Richard 17001; after that he was above suspicion: in association with Ioannes 17010 (:) Kinnamos 147.17-148.1
  • Before his death he was asked by Robert 17001 for a loan of 10,000 gold pieces; he offered a gift of 4,000 but no more; Robert was offended and left the camp, but after his death Robert got the money from Ioannes 17010 and returned (:) Kinnamos 152.2-10
Richard, ruler of Andria (Richard 17001)
  • Rumours of possible treachery with Robert 17001 cirulated after his death (:) Kinnamos 147.20-22
Robert of Bassonville, nephew of Roger II of Sicily (Robert 17001)
  • As he was attacked by the Sicilians, he twice asked help from Michael 62 and Ioannes 17010; they said they were not in Italy (Apulia) to help him (as their treaty confirmed), but to secure the country for Manuel 1 (:) Kinnamos 147.9-17
  • Persisted in seeking Byzantine help, and Ioannes 17010 and Michael 62 marched briefly to Bitetto, binding him with more oaths because of rumours he had thought of treachery with Richard 17001; afterwards he was above suspicion (:) Kinnamos 147.17-148.1
William I, king of Sicily (William 51)
  • Until the death of Michael 62 his fortunes were waning, with the loss of Montepeloso and Gravina, many other towns and 50 villages; the Byzantine armies, after a long absence, seemed invincible, and he lost allies. But then it changed (:) Kinnamos 150.18-151.7