Tancred of Sicily was a Norman king who ruled from 1189 to 1194. He was the grandson of Roger II of Sicily, the founder of the Norman kingdom in southern Italy. Tancred's reign was marked by political instability and conflict, particularly with the Hohenstaufen dynasty, which sought control over Sicily. Tancred became king after the death of his cousin, William II of Sicily. His rule faced challenges from rival factions and external threats, including the ambitions of Henry VI, the Holy Roman Emperor. Despite his efforts to maintain power, Tancred's reign ended with his death in 1194, leading to the eventual Hohenstaufen takeover of Sicily.