Kaid

A kaid or caid , Arabic القائد / al-qā'id , is a title given in the Norman Kingdom of Sicily . It was bestowed on palace officials and members of the curia, usually Muslims or converts from Islam, often eunuchs . The latinization was Gaitus or Gaytus .

In the Arab region of origin in the Maghreb , Kaid meant master or leader, either local representative of the central state power ( Makhzen ) or regional leader of an independent tribe. The latter was one Caïd Moha ou Hammou, a Berber -Leader, which is in the area of Khenifra in Morocco opposed the early 20th century the French colonial army. Around the same time belonged to the sultan's power General Sir Harry Aubrey de Maclean (1848-1920), a Scottish military adviser to Abd al-Aziz , who carried the title of Kaid.

Kaids at the court of Palermo were:

• Kaid Thomas Brun, an Englishman who served Roger II ;
• Kaid Peter, a eunuch who converted from Islam, confidante of Margaret of Navarre ;
• Kaid Richard, Chamberlain to Margaret of Navarre.