Richard II (Prince of Capua)

Richard II (died in 1105/1106) - the seventh Earl of Aversa and the third prince of Capua from the house of Drengo in 1091 - 1105/1106.

Portrait of Richard II

Richard II is the eldest son of Jordan I of Capuan and Gaitelgrim of Salerno. He inherited his father at a young age during the regency of his mother and was soon expelled with his whole family from Capua. After seven years of exile, during which the Langobard Lando IV ruled Capua, Richard II decided to regain the throne. He turned for help to Roger I of Sicily and Roger I of Apulia , his cousin and cousin, respectively. Both agreed to return the throne to Richard II if he recognized himself as a vassal of the Duke of Puglia . Richard II took a vassal oath to Roger Borsa, and in May 1098 the Allies besieged Capua . The siege was attended by Pope Urban II and Anselm of Canterbury , and the troops of Roger of Sicily attended a significant detachment of Sicilian Muslims.

After a 40-day siege, Capua fell, and Richard II returned to his throne. Although he recognized the suzerainty of Puglia over his principality, this had no practical consequences, since Roger Borsa and his successor had difficulty controlling the situation even in their own possessions. Richard II died childless in 1105/1106, his brother Robert I became his successor.