Walter of Palearia

Who is Walter of Palearia?

Walter of Palear was the chancellor of the Kingdom of Sicily under Queen Constance and the Emperor Henry VI. He was also the bishop of Troia and later bishop of Catania.

Walter put Palermo under the authority of his brother, Gentile, Count of Manopello, while acting as guardian of Henry and Constance's son, the young king Frederick of Hohenstaufen. Gentile surrendered the city to Markward von Anweiler in 1198, but Pope Innocent III alleged that Markward had bribed Walter for the city and the king's regency.

In 1202, an army led by Walter and Dipold, Count of Acerra, was defeated by the claimant Walter III of Brienne, who opposed Frederick as king. Markward was killed and Frederick fell under the control of William of Capparone. Dipold wrested Frederick from Capparone in 1206 and gave him over to the guardianship of the chancellor. Walter and Dipold then had a falling-out and the latter captured the royal palace, where he was besieged and captured by Walter in 1207.