Roger II created a Norman kingdom in Sicily known for its tolerance. It was considered rare for a kingdom to contain religious diversity in relative harmony with each other, but this kingdom was known for its relative harmony. This reign was continued by his nephew, William II. He was the last of the direct Norman line of Altavilla to govern Sicily. This article will examine two cathedrals: Cefalù, (built by Roger II), and Monreale, (built by William II). These cathedrals are bookends of the Norman kingdom of Altavilla in Sicily. Both were designed as dynastic burial places for the Altavilla family. Roger II and his heirs wished to show themselves as heirs to the Davidic monarchy in the Bible. The building and mosaic program of Cefalù and Monreale visually established them as rulers outside the authority and tradition of the Roman papacy. This was achieved through the use of legends, mosaic programs, portraying oneself as receiving God's authority without the need for the intercession of the clergy, and the blending of ethnically and religiously diverse cultures. Roger II used miraculous events to influence public opinion and create a rationale for the creation of the cathedral of Cefalù. William II also used miraculous events to influence public opinion and create a rationale for the foundation of Monreale Cathedral. In the settlement of Cefalù and Monreale the use of miraculous events explains the reason for the construction of these cathedrals. These miracle stories become legends used by both kings and bishops in relation to cathedrals. These legends give credence to the need to establish kingship or curb the power of a...... middle of paper ......les E. "Builders, Patrons, and Identity: The Domed Basilicas of Sicily and Calabria . " Gesta 43, n. 2 (2004): 99-114.Norwich, John Julius. The Normans in Sicily: The Normans in the South 1016-1130 And The Kingdom in the Sun 1130-1194. London: Penguin, 1992. Runeiman, Steven. "Sicily: an introduction." Mediterranean Studies 5 (1955): 1-5.Sheppard, Carl D., Jr. "Iconography of the Monreale Cloister." Il Bollettino dell'Arte 31, n. 3 (1949): 159-69.Sheppard, Carl D., Jr. "A Stylistic Analysis of the Monreale Cloister." Il Bollettino dell'Arte 34, n. 1 (1952): 35-41. Takayama, Hiroshi. "Central power and multicultural elements at the Norman court of Sicily". Mediterranean Studies 12 (2003): 1-15.Tronzo, William. The Cultures of His Kingdom: Roger II and the Palatine Chapel in Palermo. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1997.