Roger III of Apulia (1118-12 May 1148) was Duke of Apulia from 1135 to 1148, succeeding Roger II and preceding William I.
Biography[]
Roger de Hauteville was born in Apulia, Italy in 1118, a son of Roger II of Sicily and Elvira of Castile. He received the duchy of Apulia after his father became King of Sicily, and he took part in his father's campaigns starting in 1137, fighting against Pope Innocent II's candidate for the duchy of Apulia, Ranulf of Alife. In 1139, Roger ambushed and captured the Pope at Galluccio, forcing the Pope to confirm his father as King of Sicily. Roger then captured Naples and ended its republican government, incorporating Naples into Norman Italy. He died in 1148 at the age of 30.