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How did Henry VI gain control of southern Italy and Sicily?

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Map of Europe about 800 CE showing the extent of the Frankish kingdom under Charlemagne in light purple, covering much of present-day France, Germany, northern Italy, and neighboring regions. Areas inhabited by Slavic peoples who were tributary to Charlemagne are shaded in a darker purple to the east of the Frankish kingdom, including groups such as the Bohemians, Moravians, and Croats. Major cities, rivers, and neighboring kingdoms are labeled for context.
Holy Roman Empire

Henry VI gained control of southern Italy and Sicily primarily through his marriage to Constance I, the posthumous daughter of King Roger II and heiress to the Sicilian throne following the death of her nephew, William II, in 1189.12

His path to the throne was initially obstructed by a local faction that supported Tancred of Lecce as king. Henry’s efforts were further complicated by domestic revolts in Germany and the need to secure his position as Holy Roman emperor. However, his situation improved significantly after he secured a massive ransom from the imprisoned English king Richard I and reached a peace agreement with his rival, Henry the Lion, in 1194.13

Following the death of Tancred in February 1194, which left only a young heir, Henry faced little resistance during his subsequent campaign. He entered Palermo in November 1194 and was crowned king of Sicily on December 25, 1194, effectively uniting the kingdom with the Holy Roman Empire.13