The Battle of Bari

In spring 11 55, imperial troops arrived at ancona and war began. Manoil had despatched a small mercenary force while ducas and paliolocos hired knights from ancona. They were joined by robert of bassonville, the count of loritello. He was one of roger's nephews and saw this as an opportunity to carve out a kingdom of his own. With promises of help from the leaders of rupecanina and capua, the rebellion seemed ready to succeed. But it was not to be. The german army in the area to secure the emperor's rights had already met resistance in milan, rome and