Thread by @LandsknechtPike

Battle of Cerami (Sicily), 1063. One of the most impressive Christian victories in history where a group of only 136 Norman knights and a small number of infantry crushed the much larger Mohammedan Saracen army that numbered tens of thousands of men. Glory to Norman knights!

This battle was part of the glorious Norman campaign to conquer Sicily from the hands of the Mohammedans who had ruled the Christian population of the island for 200 years. The Normans, a race of warriors and conquerors, fought not just for themselves but for entire Christendom!

The elite 136 Norman heavy cavalry knights were lead by the famous Roger I of Sicily, nicknamed Roger Bosso and The Great Count, and his heroic dashing nephew Serlo II of Hauteville, a man of immense courage and fighting skills. CoatS of arms of Roger I and of the Hautevilles:

It is not sure what the number of the Saracens lead by Ibn al-Hawas of Emirate of Sicily was. Some sources say up to 50.000, although this was probably exaggerated. In any case, they had a much bigger army than the Normans who altogether numbered around 300 men.

The Normans relied on their superior weapons and armor, as well as their discipline and skills. But most of all, they relied on their most lethal weapon, the charge of the heavy knights that they adopted and perfected through years and years of combat all over Europe.

Chronicler Malaterra writes about piety of Norman warriors: "After confessing to God with great devotion -with the priests serving as witness- and receiving penance, they commended themselves to the mercy of God and, trusting in his aid, they set out to do battle with the enemy."

Roger first sent Serlo and 36 elite knights to defend the nearby fortress of Cerami. A large Saracen vanguard approached the fortress but was repelled by the brave noble warrior Serlo, who "like a raging lion lunged at the enemy through the gates and slaughtered many of them"

The Mohammedans gave up on the siege and decided to engage with the bulk of Norman small army lead by Roger. The Normans had a superior position on the battlefield and Roger lead a devastating cavalry charge after which the Saracens counter-attacked with full force.

Roger and one of his knights Rousell of Bailleul encouraged the Norman infantrymen who were frightened by such a multitude coming at them. Rousell gave an inspiring speech, reminding the pious Normans that they were the soldiers of Christ. I attached the full speech in screenshot

The fighting was fierce. The disciplined well organized and well equipped Norman infantry was able to hold their position against the pressure of the huge Saracen army coming at them, inspired by the leadership of Roger and his legendary bravery.

The crucial moment of the battle happened where Serlo's forces who were defending the fortress of Cerami returned to the battle and charged the Mohammedan left flank from behind. The charge was devastating and cut a bloody path towards the fellow Norman line over Saracen corpses.

There is a miracle associated with Serlo's charge. It is said that saint George himself suddenly appeared in the Norman ranks, riding a white war horse, clad in armor and armed with a lance, slaying the Mohammedan foes just like the legendary saint James the Moor-slayer in Spain.

Malaterra writes of this miracle: "There appeared a certain knight, magnificent in his armor, mounted on a white horse and carrying a white standard with a splendid cross on it tied to the tip of his lance. It was as if this knight were advancing with our battle line...

... and rushing at the enemy where they were the thickest with a most valiant attack, so as to make our men more confident and ready to fight. Seeing this, our men were elated, and they called out again and again, "God and st. George." ...

... Struck with the joy of such a vision to the point where they were shedding tears, they eagerly followed the horseman who preceded them. Many also saw a banner containing a cross hanging from the top of the count's lance, a banner which only God could have placed there."

The Great Count Roger also fought bravely, killing himself the kaid (commander) of Palermo who had a reputation of being the most outstanding of Mohammedan warriors. Roger of Sicily was a brave Christian knight and a true leader who should be eternally remembered by Europeans!

The Saracens fled in panic and Normans were chasing them without mercy, slaying everyone they could get. Thousands, possibly tens of thousands of Mohammedans perished as the victorious Normans chased them all the way into the surrounding mountains before they raided their camp.

The victory had a very religious meaning for the pious Catholic Normans and they attributed their great victory to God. "For mere human strength would be incapable of even undertaking, much less actually accomplishing, such a great thing, unheard of in our times." (Malaterra)

The Normans sent four camels obtained as spoils of war to pope Alexander II as a gift who in turn sent his apostolic blessings, absolution from sin for the soldiers who fought and a papal banner to sanctify the Norman cause in Sicily. This gesture foreshadowed the crusades.

The Normans went on to conquer entire Sicily in the next years, liberating this great island and putting it back into the arms of the European Christendom. The Normans were the best warriors in the world at the time and would later play a crucial role in the crusades as well.