Normans

:This page discusses the people. For other uses, see Norman (disambiguation).

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The Normans (adapted from the name "Northmen" or "Norsemen") were a mixture of the indigenous Gauls of France and the Viking invaders under the leadership of Rollo (Gange Rolf). Danish Vikings began to occupy the northern area of France now known as Normandy in the latter half of the 9th century. Under the leadership of Hrolf Ganger, who adopted the French name Rollo, they swore allegiance to the king of France (Charles the Simple) and received the small lower Seine area from him in 911. This area expanded over time to become the Duchy of Normandy.

Related Topics:
Norsemen - Danish - Viking - France - Normandy - 9th century - Hrolf Ganger - Charles the Simple - 911 - Duchy of Normandy

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The Norman people adopted Christianity and the Gallo-Romance language and created a new cultural identity separate from that of their Scandinavian forebears and French neighbours. Norman culture, like that of many other migrant communities, was particularly enterprising and adaptable. For a time, it led them to occupy widely dispersed territories throughout Europe.

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