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Guaimar IIIPrince of Salerno from 994 to 1027, son of John II and his co-ruler
Date of Birth: 01.01.0983
Country:  Operator |
Content:
Prince of Salerno
Guaimar III was the Prince of Salerno from 994 to 1027. He was the son and co-ruler of John II. The exact years of his reign vary in different sources, ranging from 994-999 to 1027-1031. His ordinal number is also uncertain, as he is sometimes referred to as Guaimar IV if a potential son and co-ruler, Guaimar II, is taken into account.
Diplomatic Maneuvering
During his reign, Guaimar III skillfully maneuvered between the Western and Eastern Empires. In 1009-1011, he secretly supported a Lombard rebellion in Byzantine Apulia led by Melus of Bari. After Melus' defeat, Guaimar III met with the catepan (Byzantine governor) and reaffirmed his loyalty to Constantinople. However, he later granted Melus refuge in his territory.
Following the defeat of a second Lombard uprising in 1017-1018, Guaimar III swore fealty to Byzantium, disregarding his obligations to the Western Empire. However, when Emperor Henry II of the Western Empire campaigned against the Prince of Capua, Pandulf IV, Guaimar III, who was married to Pandulf's sister, managed to remain neutral.
After Henry II's death, Guaimar III declared his loyalty to the new Western Emperor, Conrad II, and requested the release of the deposed Pandulf IV. When the liberated Pandulf IV recaptured Capua and attacked Naples, Guaimar III covertly supported his brother-in-law while outwardly maintaining loyalty to the Western Emperor.
Normans in Southern Italy
The legend of the first Norman appearance in Southern Italy is associated with Guaimar III. In 999, a group of Norman pilgrims returning from Jerusalem landed in Salerno. At the time, Salerno was under attack by Arab pirates, and the Normans repelled the Saracen raid. Inspired by the Normans' fighting prowess, Guaimar III invited them to settle in Italy.
An alternative legend, however, connects the first arrival of Normans with a pilgrimage to Mount Gargano in 1016 and a chance encounter with Melus of Bari, who was in hiding.
Family and Death
Guaimar III's first wife was Porpora, who died around 1010. They had one son, John III, who co-ruled with his father and died in 1018.
His second wife was Gaitelgrima, the sister of Pandulf IV. They had three sons: Guaimar IV, Duke of Sorrento Guy, and Count of Capaccio Pandulf. Guaimar III died in 1027, and his heir was Guaimar IV.
