Page "William II of Sicily" Paragraph 2

William was only eleven years old at the death of his father William I, when he was placed under the regency of his mother, Margaret of Navarre.

Until the king was declared adult in 1171 the government was controlled first by the chancellor Stephen du Perche, cousin of Margaret ( 1166 – 1168 ), and then by Walter Ophamil, archbishop of Palermo, and Matthew of Ajello, the vice-chancellor.

In 1174 and 1175 William made treaties with Genoa and Venice and his marriage in February 1177 with Joan, daughter of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, marks his high position in European politics.