December 9, 1103It has been over 5 years since my father Giacopo the Just, first Duke of Capua, died. It’s been a busy time, and much has happened since his death. My liege the Pope’ response to my father’s death was touching, offering to make me Commander, and sending me out to the Holy Land to forget my grief. My first few months of rule were spent in Acre, leading the Holy Father’s armies in an attempt to save the 1st Crusade. We failed, and I came back home with a passion for hunting, and a desire to wage a successful war against the Muslims elsewhere.
At the time, I was content to deal with matters at home and for several years they took my attention. My brother was upset he did not own anything that could be given to his son, and pressed me to claim the independent county of Salerno for him. I eventually agreed, concerned that if I did not act, Salerno would fall to the Duke of Apulia. It seems that I was too slow for my brother, who was plotting to kill me. A few armed messengers was enough to end his plotting, but I must be on my guard against future attempts.
Aside from the minor war over Salerno, I discovered we had an opportunity to build a hospital. Building up a good hospital to protect against outbreaks of disease seemed like a good precaution. An outbreak of plague could bring the realm to its knees. The hospital has now been built in Capua, but now is just a matter of amassing the wealth to improve the building.
Unfortunately, while building the hospital, an outbreak of consumption from Greece crossed the sea, infecting many of the court, including myself and my heir. Cardinal Gentile served the court well, but I needed to get away from the disease ridden peninsula. So I set my sights to Spain, where unlike the Fatimid ruled Holy Land, no single power controlled the region. I lead my own army on this venture, not one belonging to my liege lord, and this time I will see success for the Holy Cross.