This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1838 edition. Excerpt: ... When the Chancellor was gone, the government fell into the hands of his opponents. Matteo di Salerno, the Gaieto Richard, the Bishops of Agrigentum, Catania and Salerno, the Elect of Syracuse, and the Counts of Geraci, Molise, and Montescaglioso, formed the new council, together with Walter Ofamilio, Dean of Agrigentum, who, in the situation of sub-preceptor to the young king, had obtained so much influence over the mind of his pupil, as to have excited the jealousy of the Queen Mother*. The enmity of the Queen was, at the time, a recommendation to a faction who had just triumphed over her favourite, and forced their way to power against her inclinations. Circumstances, at this moment, threw another advantage in Ofamilio's way. The Chancellor, at his departure, had resigned his archiepiscopal dignity; and the Council, wishing as soon as possible to fill up the vacant preferment, hastily placed the Palermitan mitre on the head of their new colleagueb. The next year the King came of age, and his first act was to appoint Walter Ofamilio his prime ministerc. Walter was by birth an Englishman, and had a Falcandus. * Gualterium, Agrigentinum Decanum et Regis Magistrum, sibi in Pastorem unanimiter elogerunt. Romualdus Salernitanus. '* Itaque summa regni potestas penes Gualterium erat. Falcandus. been recommended to the Court of Sicily by Henry II., who, wishing to bring about an alliance between his daughter Joan and the young King, was glad to place about him a man whose abilities he had remarked, and upon whose fidelity he could depend. But how was it that Walter could succeed where Stephen failed? Walter, equally an alien, and by no means Stephen's equal in great qualities. Because, desirous of the same improvements, he went more gently to...