848: The Decision to Expel the Muslims from the Langobard Duchies

Abstract

The decision to expel Muslims from the Langobard duchies forms part of the peace treaty between Radelchis of Benevento and Siconulf of Salerno. For a long time, they had fought out their rivalry on a military basis. For this purpose, they had deliberately recruited Muslims as mercenaries. In the document of 848, Radelchis not only assured that he would settle these conflicts, but also promised to banish all Saraceni from his domain. He only exempted those who had already lived in Southern Italy before the outbreak of the war and had converted to Christianity.