Normandy

Normandy is a geographical region in northern France. Upper Normandy (Haute-Normandie) consists of the French départements of Seine-Maritime and Eure, and Lower Normandy (Basse-Normandie) of the départements of Orne, Calvados, and Manche.

History

Normandy was the home of the Normans in the early Middle Ages, the last people to successfully invade England. The Normans were a mixture of the indigenous Gauls and of the Viking invaders under the leadership of Rollo (Gange Rolf), who besieged Paris and was given the area of Normandy (Treaty of St.-Claire-sur-Epte, 911) in return for defending it against future pirate attacks.

Related Topics:
Normans - Middle Ages - England - Viking - Rollo - Paris - Treaty of St.-Claire-sur-Epte - 911 - Pirate

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Rollo's descendant William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England in 1066 and became king William I of England. Normandy remained associated with England until 1087, in 1106-1144 and in 1154-1204. Also see the Battle of Bouvines in 1214. Normandy was occupied by English forces during the Hundred Years' War in 1346-1360 and again in 1415-1450.

Related Topics:
1066 - William I of England - 1087 - 1106 - 1144 - 1154 - 1204 - Battle of Bouvines - 1214 - Hundred Years' War - 1346 - 1360 - 1415 - 1450

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Norman families, such as that of Tancred of Hauteville played important parts in the Crusades and established a kingdom in Sicily and the south of Italy.

Related Topics:
Tancred of Hauteville - Crusade - Sicily - Italy

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Both Wace and Orderic Vitalis are important Norman writers for the history of the province.

Related Topics:
Wace - Orderic Vitalis

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During World War II, the town of Dieppe was the site of the ill-fated Dieppe Raid by Canadian and British units in 1942. Later, Normandy was also the site of the Normandy Invasion or Operation Overlord that began on June 6, 1944, which day is also known as D-Day. This was the successful invasion of German-occupied France by U.S., British, and Canadian troops. Caen and other Norman towns endured many casualties in the fight for the province, which continued until the liberation of Le Havre on (September 12).

Related Topics:
World War II - Dieppe Raid - Normandy Invasion - June 6 - 1944 - D-Day - September 12

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Channel Islands

Since the Channel Islands have remained loyal to the English Crown since the division of Normandy in 1204, yet are not part of the UK but rather the Duchy of Normandy, the British monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II) is toasted as Duke of Normandy. However, she is not regarded as Duke of Normandy outside her realms since claims by English monarchs to the title were given up by the Treaty of Paris of 1259. Additionally, the rights of succession to that title are subject to Salic Law, which does not allow for female inheritance of the ducal title.

Related Topics:
Queen Elizabeth II - Duke of Normandy - Treaty of Paris of 1259 - Salic Law

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