European Kingdoms

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.

The Vikings who settled in Normandy would have seemed a rough and ready lot to the relatively sophisticated French court

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

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.

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

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.