Alfonso of Capua (1121-10 October 1144) was Prince of Capua from 1135 to 1144 (succeeding Robert II and preceding William I) and Duke of Naples from 1139 to 1144 (succeeding Sergius VII and preceding William I).
Biography[]
Alfonso of Capua was born in 1121, the third son of Roger II of Sicily and Elvira of Castile and the brother of William I of Sicily, Roger III of Apulia, and Tancred of Bari. In 1135, his father made Alfonso Prince of Capua after deposing the rebellious Robert II of Capua, and Alfonso governed there until 1137, when Holy Roman Emperor Lothair III invaded Italy and briefly reinstated Robert. In 1139, after Roger of Apulia captured Pope Innocent II in an ambush at Galluccio, the Pope was forced to recognize Roger II as King of Sicily and recognized his sons' titles. In 1139, following the death of Duke Sergius VII of Naples, the Neapolitans submitted to Roger II at Benevento, and Alfonso was made the new Duke of Naples, ending Neapolitan independence. In 1140, Alfonso conquered Abruzzo from the Duchy of Spoleto, taking many castles and settlements, and burning some and looting others. From 1142 to 1143, Alfonso captured Marsia from the Papal States, and, in 1144, he captured Rieti and Amiterno from the Papacy. He died during the course of his campaign that same year.