Hi all,

i am trying to find some primary sources (images) of what an Italo Norman looked like around 1170AD.

does anyone know where i can find some primary source (photos of original paintings etc) material on the Italo Normans?

any help offered will be had,

cheers,

jason

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Thank you.

Hello all!

Jason,

Questions about accuracy aside, you might want to try the various Osprey books about the Normans, especially the Elite series The Normans by David Nicolle. I know this one has photos of late 12th century capitals from the cloisters in Monreale Cathedral, Sicily. The capitals depict the mixed equipment of Italo-Norman armies. I know the colour plates can sometimes be questionable, but there are a few photos of period art in each volume.

Another source, but having only drawings and descriptions of period art, would be Arms & Armour of the Crusading Era 1050-1350: Western Europe and the Crusader States, also by David Nicolle. Some people have issues with some of Nicolle's viewpoints, but he does cover areas many other authors neglect. You can always reach your own interpretations, instead of relying on Nicolle's conclusions.

Arms & Armour of the Crusading Era 1050-1350 has a section about southern Italy and Sicily. There are many drawings and descriptions from various period sources. The drawings aren't very detailed, but they can be useful when used with the descriptions.

I hope this helped!

Stay safe!

The Normans in Sicily, John Julius Norwich
ISBN 0140152121

The Normans, R. Allen Brown
ISBN 0312577761

Browns book is out of print, but both of these have useful black and white photos of period artwork, although niether one is really heavy on illustrations.