During the so-called “Anacletine Schism,” the Pierleoni, one of the two ruling families in Rome, nominated Pope Pietro Pierleoni, also known as Anacletus II, while the Frangipane, the other family, sided with the pontiff later recognized as legitimate, Innocent II. In this way, the Frangipane built a lasting bond with future popes, while the Pierleoni fought against the Commune of Rome. On Christmas 1130, Antipope Anacletus II crowned King Roger the Norman, son of Roger of Hauteville, as king of Sicily, Apulia, Calabria, and Capua. This marked the birth of the kingdom of southern Italy, which, with the subsequent inclusion of Naples, would endure for seven centuries. In 1138, Anacletus died; his army moved in for revenge, was routed by Roger’s troops, and the pontiff himself was taken prisoner. At this point, Innocent negotiated and recognized Roger’s kingdom in southern Italy in exchange for papal recognition granted by Anacletus. Thus, an internal schism within the Apostolic See was the involuntary driving force behind the history of southern Italy for the next 730 years.
