Normans of the South

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Episode 3 of 3

Duration: 1 hour

Professor Robert Bartlett explores the impact of the Normans on southern Europe and the Middle East. The Normans spread south in the 11th century, winning control of southern Italy and the island of Sicily. There they created their most prosperous kingdom, where Christianity and Islam co-existed in relative harmony and mutual tolerance. It became a great centre of medieval culture and learning.

But events in the Middle East provoked the more aggressive side of the Norman character. In 1095, the Normans enthusiastically answered the Pope's call for holy war against Islam and joined the first crusade. They lay siege to Jerusalem and eventually helped win back the holy city from the muslims. This bloody conquest left a deep rift between Christianity and Islam which is still being felt to this day.

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Music Played

49 items

  • Photo: Robert Bartlett at La Martorana

    Photo: Robert Bartlett at La Martorana

    Robert Bartlett at La Martorana, Sicily, a chapel built by the Norman King Roger II of Sicilly.

  • A quote from the Gesta Francorum

    "And there was such a slaughter there that our men strode in their blood up to their ankles. Then they ran through the whole city, seizing gold and silver, horse and mules, and houses full of good things. All our people came rejoicing and crying for great joy to worship at the Sepulchre of our Saviour Jesus"

  • Episode Three Historical Moment: The Siege of Jerusalem

    In the summer of 1099, an international force of 12,000 Christian soldiers besieged the Holy City of Jerusalem. They had come to take it back from the Muslims, and amongst their forces were many Normans. On the night of July 13th 1099, the Crusaders attacked in force from both north and south, using battering rams and siege towers. For two days the conflict hung in the balance. Then they broke into the city. Pillage and massacre followed. The Crusaders rampaged through the city, seizing gold and silver as they went. The slaughter of the Muslims was savage. Thousands were killed; piles of hands, feet and heads could be seen in the streets. The Normans rushed to take possession of the sacred site of Christ’s burial and resurrection: the Holy Sepulchre. Jerusalem was Christian once more.

  • Things You Might Not Know About the Normans

    The sons and grandsons of an impoverished Norman Knight called Tancred de Hauteville went on to become Kings of Sicily and Antioch and the Prince of Galilee.

    In the 11th century, a Norman Knight called Robert Guiscard held the Pope hostage for 9 months until he agreed to allow him to keep the lands he’d conquered in southern Italy.

    The Normans in Italy provoked a Pope to go into battle for the first time since the foundation of the Christian Church.

    Under Norman rule, the Kingdom of Sicily became a great centre of culture and learning.

    The Norman King of Sicily, Roger II commissioned the most accurate medieval map of the world.

    A Norman warrior called Bohemond created a Kingdom in Antioch, in modern day Turkey.

    The son of William the Conqueror led an army of Normans in the First Crusade.

  • BBC Hands on History

    BBC Hands on History

    Find out how you can go on your own Norman adventure with Hands on History - helping to bring history to life.

    Start your Norman adventure

  • Norman Season

    Norman Season

    This programme is part of Norman Season on BBC Two and BBC Four, a collection of programmes highlighting the effect that the Normans have had on our civilisation.

    Go to the Norman Season website

Credits

Series Producer
Robin Dashwood
Presenter
Robert Bartlett
Director
Charles Colville
Producer
Charles Colville
Executive Producer
Chris Granlund

Broadcasts

See all broadcasts of Normans of the South (18)

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