The Normans were a Scandinavian population group (of
possible Danish, Icelandic and Norwegian extraction) who settled the region of
France known as Normandy. Their name refers to their Norse origin and they are
believed to have descended from pirates and raiders who settled the region
under the leader Rollo.
It was Rollo, who swore an oath of fealty to a French crown
as represented by Charles III of West Francia and over generations the Norse
population mixed with the local Franco-Romans to produce the distinct Norman
culture.
The Norman rulers were strict feudalists who raided as far
south as Sicily and Cyprus, Eastward into the Levant, north into England and
West to the Canary Islands. Famous Norman political figures included Richard I
(who along with his brother took Sicily from the Muslims), Bohemond I and William
the Conqueror. Their culture is most associated with Romanesque Architecture, a
lively musical tradition and visual artwork that included illuminated
manuscripts and tapestries.
English history was profoundly impacted by the Normans
following the successful Invasion of the Home Country by troops loyal to Duke
of Normandy, William, in 1066. William
defeated his Saxon rival Harold Godwinson (aka Haold II) at the Battle of
Hastings, following Harold’s speedy advance southwards after he himself had
defeated the Norwegian king Harald Hadrada at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
William (also known as William the Bastard) would later be
known as William the Conqueror. He would consolidate power in England and rule
as the First Norman King until 1087. His reign is associated with the
compilation of the famed Domesday Book (A manuscript/survey/census of much of
England/Wales at the time), a growth in Norman based feudalism, the revolt of
the Earls and fighting with his oldest son Robert. He was responsible though
for the building of the White Tower (the old keep) which forms part of the
Tower of London.
William the Conqueror
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