Normans

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

Normans and Normandy

Geographically, Normandy was approximately the same region as the old church province of Rouen. It had no natural frontiers and was previously merely an administrative unit. Its population was mostly Gallo-Roman with a small Frankish/Germanic admixture, plus Viking settlers, who had begun arriving in the 880s, and who were divided between a small colony in Upper (or eastern) Normandy and a larger one in Lower (or western) Normandy.

Related Topics:
Rouen - Gallo-Roman - Frankish - Germanic - 880s

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In the course of the 10th century the initial destructive incursions of Norse war bands into the rivers of Gaul evolved into more permanent encampments that included women and chattel. The pagan culture was driven underground by the Christian faith and Gallo-Romance language of the local people. With the zeal of new converts they set forth in the 11th century from their solid base in Normandy. Characteristically it was younger sons, like William the Bastard who were largely dispossessed at home, that headed the adventurous raiding parties.

Related Topics:
10th century - Gaul - Pagan - Gallo-Romance language - 11th century - William the Bastard

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In Normandy they adopted the growing feudal doctrines of France, and worked them, both in Normandy and in England, into a logical system.

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The Norman warrior class was new and different from the old French aristocracy, many of whom could trace their families back to Carolingian times, while the Normans could seldom cite ancestors before the beginning of the 11th century. Most knights remained poor and land-hungry; by 1066, Normandy had been exporting fighting horsemen for more than a generation. Knighthood at this time held little social status, and simply indicated that a man was a professional warrior.

Related Topics:
French aristocracy - Carolingian - 11th century - 1066 - Knighthood

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The Norman language forged by the adoption of the indigenous oïl language by a Norse-speaking ruling class developed into the regional language which survives today.

Related Topics:
Norman language - Oïl language - Norse - Regional language

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