At the beginning of the XI century the first Normanni made their appearance, for the first time, to offer their presents to the varied gentlemen from southern Italy. At the second time the Normanni with 300 men, in 1038; sent away the Arabs from Messina and Siracusa. Unfortunately they have to leave Sicily in 1040. The second return of the Normanni was with Guglielmo of Altavilla and he took, in 1060, Messina, Siracusa and Agrigento. He employed 30 years to conquer a big part of the island (like Trapani, Catania, Enna…), because the Arabs opposed a brave defence. At the end the Normanni, let live Arabs who lived in Palermo, accepting the Arabs' culture. They were towards the arts, the sciences, the Arabic language and the Arabic style. Federico II of Svevia was born at Jesi (Ancona) in 1194; he came down from the Normanni's house. Raised in Sicily and far from the Germans' relatives, also having the title of King of Germany, he preferred to stay in Sicily and he chose like residence, Palermo's court. His kingdom was illuminated from arts, sciences and literature; Sicily owes him thankfulness of his participation to the crib of the Italian literature in that period. Federico II asked the Pope an extension for the Crusade in Saint Land, and the consent of be titled king of Sicily and Germany, during this period, he took advantage for rearranging the Kingdom and organize the economy. He founded the first University of State at Naples. With the advent of Pope Gregorio IX , he must leave for the Crusade against the Muslims, but once joint in Palestine, instead of fight the infidels, he agreed with the sultan and he got free access for the Christians to Jerusalem and he became crown king also, having married Jolanda of Brenne. The Pope disdained from this behavior, he excommunicated Federico and deposed him from Emperor in 1245. Federico II died suddenly in Lucera (Foggia) in December of 1250.
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