Felicia of Sicily explained

Felicia of Sicily^[1] (also Elateria) (c. 1078—c. 1102) is the presumed name of a Queen consort of Hungary and Croatia.^{[2] [3]}

She was daughter of Count Roger I of Sicily and his second wife, Eremburga of Mortain.^[4] She is also called Busilla, but this name is a misunderstanding of the ancient Italian word pucelle meaning "virgin".

Coloman, King of Hungary sent his envoys to her father's court to propose marriage to her in 1096, but the Count of Sicily did not qualify the envoys illustrious enough and refused the offer. The second mission of the King of Hungary was led by Bishop Hartvik, but insisted on further negotiations. Finally, the envoys, led by Prince Álmos, accompanied Felicia to Hungary, where she was married to Coloman around 1097.

She was followed by some Sicilian courtiers as well, e.g. the ancestors of the future gens Rátót (Olivér and Rátót) who arrived to Hungary in her escort. Allegedly, these forties became so powerful that they started controlling many actions of the court.

Marriage and children

1. c. 1097: King Coloman of Hungary (c. 1070  - 3 February 1116)

• Sophia (before 1101  - ?), wife of a Hungarian noble
• King Stephen II of Hungary (1101  - 1 March 1131)
• Ladislaus (?)

Sources

• Soltész, István: Árpád-házi királynék (Gabo, 1999)
• Kristó, Gyula - Makk, Ferenc: Az Árpád-ház uralkodói (IPC Könyvek, 1996)

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Notes and References

1. She’s called Felícia in Hungarian.
2. Book: Mielke, Christopher . The Archaeology and Material Culture of Queenship in Medieval Hungary, 1000–1395 . 2021-04-21 . Springer Nature . 978-3-030-66511-1 . en.
3. Book: Srodecki . Paul . Unions and Divisions: New Forms of Rule in Medieval and Renaissance Europe . Kersken . Norbert . Petrauskas . Rimvydas . 2022-11-25 . Taylor & Francis . 978-1-000-68558-9 . en.
4. Book: Lau, Maximilian C. G. . Emperor John II Komnenos: Rebuilding New Rome 1118-1143 . 2024-01-25 . Oxford University Press . 978-0-19-888867-3 . en.