principality · Italy

Principality of Bari

1119 CE – 1132 CE · capital Bari

A short-lived Lombard principality carved out of Norman Apulia by a local strongman before Roger II brought it to heel.

Origins

In the weak reign of Duke William II of the Duchy of Apulia and Calabria, the citizen Grimoald Alferanites took power in Bari in 1119 and called himself prince. Bari, the old seat of Byzantine government in Italy, had since 1087 housed the relics of Saint Nicholas, which made it a major pilgrimage centre.

Rule and society

Little is known of Grimoald's government beyond his alliances with Venice and with other rebellious Apulian barons. He relied on Bari's port, its merchant community and the prestige of the Basilica of San Nicola. He submitted to Roger II of Sicily in 1129 when Roger took over Apulia.

Decline and legacy

Grimoald joined a baronial revolt against Roger II, who captured Bari in 1132 and sent him as a prisoner to Sicily. Bari was absorbed into the Kingdom of Sicily.

Lineage

Duchy of Apulia and Calabria 1043 CE – 1127 CEPrincipality of Bari

Connections (1)

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Principality of Bari. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-bari
MLA
“Principality of Bari.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-bari. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Principality of Bari.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-bari.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Principality of Bari’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/principality-of-bari (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻