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Duchy of Normandy
AD 911 - 1202
The name Normandy was derived from 'North Man',
a common name at the time for Vikings. The duchy was founded by Vikings
from territory granted by the
French crown
under the terms of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in 911. The Vikings,
under their leader, Rollo, were authorised to settle in the valley of the
Seine, thereby putting an end to their constant raiding, and engaging them
to protect northern France from raiding by anyone else.
Although the origins of Rollo are disputed between
Denmark and
Norway, it seems more
likely that he was a Danish Viking who was the son of a powerful
nobleman. This nobleman had been in conflict with the Danish king and when
he died, his two sons, Gurim and Rollo, were left to take over his role.
Gurim was killed and Rollo expelled from his homeland. He took to raiding
the Seine valley in France, causing huge problems for the weakening French
crown, until they were forced to enter into negotiations with him to secure
peace.
The Normans proved hugely enthusiastic defenders of northern France. They
adopted French methods of government, political behaviour, and support for
the church. They became powerful supporters of Christianity, securing Mont
St Michel (formerly in
Brittany)
and building an impressive abbey church there. They also adopted horseback
warfare, becoming highly proficient, and very ferocious knights. |
911 - 927 |
Rollo / Rolf / Rollon |
Viking Leader.
Died 932. |
911 |
Rollo receives Upper
Normandy from Charles III the Simple of
France.
The following year he converts his Vikings to Christianity as agreed with
Charles.
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The Vikings who settled in Normandy would have seemed a rough
and ready lot to the relatively sophisticated French court
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924 |
Middle Normandy
is added to the duchy. |
927 - 942 |
William I Longsword |
|
933 |
William I gains the Cherbourg Peninsula for Normandy, along with the Channel
Islands which include Jersey, Guernsey and Sark. Norman territory has
doubled within two generations. |
942 - 996 |
Richard I the Fearless |
|
996 - 1026 |
Richard II the Good |
|
1026 - 1027 |
Richard III |
|
1027 - 1035 |
Robert I the Devil |
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1035 |
The Hauteville
brothers arrive in Italy from Normandy and found the county of
Apulia. |
1035 - 1087 |
William the Bastard / the Conqueror |
First Norman king of
England
(1066-1087). |
|
1048 |
A
grant is given by William for six churches to be built on Guernsey,
including St Peter's in the capital, St Peter Port. |
1061 |
Despite reigning for nearly thirty years, Henry I of
France is unable to
achieve anything more than the preservation of the Capetian dynasty after
facing incessant conflict with rebel lords. Many of them have shown
pretensions for independence, including William, duke of Normandy. |
1063 |
Now secure in Normandy as 'ruler 'of his whole land', a feat few medieval
rulers of the time could truly claim, William invades the county of Maine to
the south. He crushes the fierce resistance he encounters and adds Maine to
his domains. |
1066 |
Harold
II of
England is narrowly defeated
by William at the Battle of Hastings (actually Senlac Hill, on 14 October). The English Prince
Edgar contests William's claim, but is ultimately unsuccessful.
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The Battle of Hastings section of the Bayeux Tapestry shows King
Harold being struck in the eye by an arrow (centre). For some
time many thought this to be one of his bodyguard but it is now
generally accepted to be the king himself
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1087 - 1106 |
Robert II Curthose |
Eldest son (d.1134). |
1106 - 1135 |
Henry I |
Third son. King Henry
I of
England
(1100-1135). |
1119 |
Henry I defeats an invasion of his Norman lands by Louis VI of
France
at the Battle of Brémule. |
1135 - 1145 |
Stephen |
Son of Adela, dau of
William II. King of
England
(1135-1154). |
1145 - 1150 |
Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou |
Husband of Matilda, legitimate heir to the
English throne. |
1150 - 1189 |
Henry II |
Son of Matilda & Geoffrey.
King of
England
(1154-1189). |
1189 - 1199 |
Richard I Coeur de Lion |
King of
England. |
1199 - 1214 |
John Lackland |
King of
England. |
1202 - 1214 |
John involves
England
in the 'War' of Bouvines. Defeat at the Battle of Bouvines on 27 July 1214 loses
John the duchy
of Normandy and his other French possessions to the
French
crown.
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