Duchy of Normandy

The Duchy of Normandy began in 911 with an agreement called the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte. This was between King Charles III of West Francia and a Viking leader named Rollo. The area was named after Rollo's people, the Normans.

From 1066 to 1204, the rulers of Normandy also often ruled England because of the Norman Conquest. In 1204, the French king took control of most of Normandy by force. Some islands called the Channel Islands stayed separate.

Over time, the mainland part of Normandy became part of France. The title "Duke of Normandy" was still used sometimes for members of the French royal family. Today, the British monarch is still called "Duke of Normandy" in official documents in the islands of Guernsey and Jersey, even though the old duchy no longer exists as a real political power.

History

Origins

The first Viking attack up the Seine river happened in 820. By 911, the area had been raided many times and there were even small Viking settlements on the lower Seine. In 911, King Charles III of the West Franks made an agreement with a Viking leader named Rollo. Rollo was given lands along the lower Seine to defend, and in return, he and his people agreed to convert to Christianity. This agreement created the Duchy of Normandy.

Norse settlement

Vikings settled in Normandy in two main ways. In some areas, Danish settlers mixed with the local people and shared the land. In other areas, mainly Norwegian settlers lived separately and kept their own traditions. Over time, the Viking settlers married locals and adopted many of their customs. Normandy became a mix of Scandinavian and Frankish cultures.

Norman rule

Normandy was ruled by Viking leaders starting with Rollo. Some of these rulers were not born to noble families, but they still became leaders. William Longsword expanded the land controlled by Normandy. Later, Richard II was the first to be called "duke" of Normandy. In 1066, Duke William defeated Harold II of England at the Battle of Hastings and became King of England. This made the dukes of Normandy also kings of England for a time. Normandy stayed independent but was controlled by the English kings until 1204 when it was taken over by France. The Channel Islands remained under English rule.

Rulers

Dukes

Main article: Duke of Normandy

Governors

Below is a list of the seneschals and governors of Normandy during its time as a French province.

• 1451–1460: Pierre de Brézé

• 1460–1464: Louis d'Estouteville

• 1475–1494: Jacques de Brézé

• 1494–1499: Louis de Brézé

• 9 May 1661 – 1726: Charles François Frédéric de Montmorency, Duke of Piney

• 1726 – 18 May 1764: Marshal of France Charles François Frédéric de Montmorency II

• 15 June 1764 – 1775: Marshal of France Anne-Pierre, Duke of Harcourt

• 17 September 1775 – 1 January 1791: François Henri

Law

Main article: Norman law

The laws of Normandy had some old Scandinavian ideas. For example, banishment was called ullac, a word from Old Norse. People could marry without a church ceremony.

The dukes had special rights, like taking ships that washed ashore and controlling whales and sturgeon. These rules were similar to old Denmark. Today, in the United Kingdom, whales and sturgeon are still special to the king or queen, known as royal fish. Some words in Normandy about fishing also came from old Norse languages.