Battle of Civitate
Quick Summary
The Battle of Civitate, fought in 1053, was a significant clash between Norman knights and a papal army. The Normans, led by figures like Humphrey De Hauteville, achieved a decisive victory, even capturing Pope Leo IX. This battle was part of the broader Norman conquest of southern Italy, where Norman lords established their dominance over regions previously held by Byzantine and Muslim powers. The House of Hauteville played a crucial role in this period, founding kingdoms and expanding their influence throughout southern Italy and Sicily, organizing their territories according to feudal norms and allowing religious freedom.12
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