# William II of Sicily

> King of Sicily

**Wikidata**: [Q367387](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q367387)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_II_of_Sicily)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-ii-of-sicily

## Summary
William II of Sicily, also known as Guglielmo II il Buono, was a member of the House of Hauteville who served as King of Sicily from 1153 until his death in 1189. His reign is notably associated with the construction of the Cattedrale di Monreale and the Cuba Palace in Palermo, as well as the leadership of prominent figures such as admirals Eugenius of Palermo and Margaritus of Brindisi.

## Biography
- **Born:** January 1, 1153
- **Nationality:** Kingdom of Sicily
- **Education:** Not available in source material
- **Known for:** Reigning as King of Sicily and commissioning the Cattedrale di Monreale
- **Employer(s):** Kingdom of Sicily
- **Field(s):** Monarchy, Governance

## Contributions
William II of Sicily is credited with the establishment of the Cattedrale di Monreale, a significant church in Monreale, Sicily, which began construction in 1172. He also owned or operated the Cuba Palace, a historic palace located in Palermo, Italy. His leadership facilitated the careers of key naval and noble figures, including the Italian admiral Eugenius of Palermo, the Sicilian admiral Margaritus of Brindisi, and the Sicilian noble Matthew of Ajello.

## FAQs
**When did William II of Sicily live?**
William II was born on January 1, 1153, and died on November 18, 1189.

**What buildings are associated with William II of Sicily?**
He is associated with the Cattedrale di Monreale, which was founded in 1172, and the Cuba Palace located in Palermo.

**Who were the key figures during William II's reign?**
Notable individuals included the admirals Eugenius of Palermo and Margaritus of Brindisi, as well as the Sicilian noble Matthew of Ajello.

**What was William II's title?**
He held the title of King of Sicily and was a member of the House of Hauteville.

## Why They Matter
William II of Sicily is significant for his patronage of architecture that defined the cultural landscape of the region, specifically the Cattedrale di Monreale, which remains a landmark in Sicily. His reign oversaw notable military and naval leadership through figures like Eugenius of Palermo and Margaritus of Brindisi, influencing the maritime power of the Kingdom of Sicily. His connection to the House of Hauteville places him within a pivotal dynasty in the history of southern Italy.

## Notable For
- Reigning as King of Sicily during the 12th century.
- Founding the Cattedrale di Monreale in 1172.
- Ownership of the Cuba Palace in Palermo.
- Affiliation with the House of Hauteville.
- Command over prominent admirals and nobles of the Kingdom of Sicily.

## Body

### Identity and Lineage
William II of Sicily, also referred to by the aliases Guglielmo II di Sicilia, Re di Sicilia, and Guglielmo II il Buono, was a human member of the House of Hauteville. This lineage is indicated by his coat of arms, described as the Coat of Arms of the House of Hauteville according to Agostino Inveges. He held the occupation of a king, a title given to a male monarch.

### Reign and Timeline
Born on January 1, 1153, William II ruled the Kingdom of Sicily, a former state in southern Italy that existed from 1130 to 1816. His reign lasted until his death on November 18, 1189. His citizenship and national affiliation were with the Kingdom of Sicily.

### Architectural Legacy
William II's reign is marked by distinct architectural contributions. He is directly linked to the Cattedrale di Monreale, a church located in Monreale, Sicily, which has an inception date of 1172. Additionally, he owned or operated the Cuba Palace, a palace situated in Palermo, Italy. Visual records of his era include a portrait image (William2Sicily.jpg) and a depiction of the dedication mosaic at the Cathedral of Monreale.

### Administration and Key Figures
The administration of William II included several high-profile figures. Eugenius of Palermo, an Italian admiral, held citizenship in the Kingdom of Sicily and was affiliated with William's court. Margaritus of Brindisi, a Sicilian admiral, also served under the Kingdom of Sicily during this period. Furthermore, Matthew of Ajello, a Sicilian noble, was another key person connected to the reign of William II.

## References

1. The Peerage
2. BeWeB
3. Catalog of the German National Library
4. International Standard Name Identifier
5. BnF authorities
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani
9. Dizionario di Storia