Roger II of Sicily - Family

Family

Roger's first marriage was in 1117 to Elvira of Castile, a daughter of King Alfonso VI of Castile. When she died, rumors flew that Roger had died as well, as his grief had made him a recluse. They had six children:

• Roger (b. 1118 – d. 12 May 1148), heir, Duke of Apulia (from 1135), possibly also Count of Lecce;
• Tancred (b. 1119 – d. 1138), Prince of Bari (from 1135).
• Alfonso (b. 1120/1121 – d. 10 October 1144), Prince of Capua (from 1135) and Duke of Naples;
• A daughter (d. young, 1135);
• William (b. 1131 – d. 7 May 1166), his successor, Duke of Apulia (from 1148);
• Henry (b. 1135 – d. young).

Roger's second marriage was in 1149 to Sibylla of Burgundy, daughter of Hugh II, Duke of Burgundy. They had two children:

• Henry (b. 29 August 1149 – d. young);
• Stillborn child (16 September 1150).

Roger's third marriage was in 1151 to Beatrice of Rethel, a grandniece of King Baldwin II of Jerusalem. They had one daughter:

• Constance (b. posthumously, 2 November 1154 – d. 28 November 1198), who married with the Emperor Henry VI, later King of Sicily in his right.

Roger also had five known illegitimate children:

—By a daughter of Hugues I, Count of Molise:

• Simon, who became Prince of Taranto in 1144.

—With unknown mistresses:

• A daughter, wife of Rodrigo Garcés (later Henry, Count of Montescaglioso), perhaps son of King García Ramírez of Navarre;
• A daughter, wife of the napolitan noblemen Adam;
• Clenenza, married Hugues II, Count of Molise;
• Adelisa (d. aft. 1184/87) married firstly Joscelin, Count of Loreto, and secondly Robert of Bassonville, Count of Loritello;
• Marina, married the great admiral Margaritus of Brindisi.