Sicilian Vespers

Sicilian Vespers is the name given to a massacre of the French in Sicily in 1282. Charles of Anjou, who was king of Naples and Sicily, governed tyrannically, and a certain Giovanni di Procida went to Peter of Aragon, who had married Constantia, daughter of Manfred, and invited that king to attack Charles, promising aid both in men and money. Peter consented, and fitted out an expedition, ostensibly against the Moors of Africa. Meantime, on March 30, 1282, Palermo massacred all the French in the city, the vesper bell being the signal. This example was followed by Messina. Charles thereupon laid siege to Messina, but the approach of Peter compelled him to raise the siege and flee. Constantia's rights were acknowledged, and the crown was settled upon her second son.