Historical Figures

Tancred of Hauteville(? - 1112)

Leaving for the first crusade in 1096 with his uncle Bohemond of Taranto, he seized Tarsus, Adana and Mamistra. He distinguished himself at the siege of Antioch and was the first to plant his standard in Jerusalem. Invested with the principality of Galilee with Tiberias, he governed the principality of Antioch in the absence of his uncle and was responsible for administering the county of Edessa during the captivity of Baudouin du Bourg (1104/08). On his release, he reluctantly returned Edessa to him, allied himself against him with the Turks and defeated him on the banks of the Euphrates near Turbessel. Tancred was immortalized by Le Tasse who in his Jerusalem Delivered made him the model of knights.