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Between 1038 and 1040 , he fought in Sicily . It was there that he won his nickname ''Iron Arm'', by single-handedly killing the Emir of Syracuse during a sally at the siege of Syracuse while fighting for the Greeks. When the Greek general Giorgio Maniace publically humiliated the Salernitan leader, Arduin , the Lombards along with their mercenary Normans and the Varangian Guard contingent left. Maniace was consequently disgraced by the Emperor In Constantinople and the new Catepan Of Italy , Michael Doukeianos , appointed Arduin ruler at Melfi . The Normans of William followed him and soon they were all in revolt with the Apulian Lombards. First Atenulf, Prince Of Benevento , and then Argyrus , the nominal leaders of the revolt, were bought off by the Greeks and the Normans elected their own leader, ignoring Arduin. The revolt, originally Lombard, had become Norman in character and leadership. In received Acerenza , Tristan received Montepeloso , Peter received Trani , Hugh Tubœuf received Monopoli , and Drogo received Venosa . William himself, predominant among the norman leaders, received the lordship of Ascoli and was elected count. He married Guida, daughter of Guido , duke of Sorrento , and niece of Guaimar (Guido's brother). During his reign, he and Guaimar began the conquest of Calabria and he built the great castle at Squillace . His titles were never confirmed by the Holy Roman Emperor . His successor, his brother Drogo, would be legally called '' Count Of The Normans In All Apulia And Calabria '' (''Comes Normannorum totius Apuliae e Calabriae''), and so William is usually titled likewise. SOURCES
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