This book is an introductory account of the kingdom of Sicily established in 1130 by Roger II, a Norman king, and ruled by Roger, his son, and grandsons until 1194 when the kingdom was conquered by his son-in-law, Henry VI of Hohenstaufen. The period covered does, however, extend from 1130 to 1266, when the kingdom passed from the Hohenstaufen heirs to Charles of Anjou, which is roughly as long and as coherent as the Norman monarchy of England between 1066 and 1204.