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William II

Type Figure Region Sicily Time 1155–1189 Also known as 威廉大帝、William the Good、Guglielmo II di Sicilia

King of Sicily, born in Palermo in 1155 and died there in 1189. Acceded as a child in 1166, he ruled in his own name after a regency, noted for relat…

Timeline

  1. 1171–1174Palermo · SicilyWilliam II took charge of government after the regency, maintaining a multicultural court culture in Palermo. After the death of Queen Joan (an English princess) in 1171, he consolidated the kingdom's position through marriage and diplomacy while maintaining cautious cooperation with the papacy.
  2. 1174–1175Sicily · SicilyIn 1174, at the request of his father-in-law Henry II, he dispatched the Sicilian fleet and funds to help suppress the rebellion of Young King Henry and others, demonstrating the Kingdom of Sicily's military and financial influence in Mediterranean politics.
  3. 1176–1180Palermo · SicilyFor the next decade William II ruled in a relatively peaceful manner, advancing court building and church affairs, and maintaining trade and diplomatic relations with city-states such as Genoa and Pisa; the Kingdom of Sicily entered a period of stability and prosperity.

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