Norman society before 1066
The rulers of Normandy (in the north of present-day France) in the 11th century were originally from Scandinavia. Normans were originally 'north-men'. By the 11th century they had developed quite a different society from the world of the Warriors from Scandinavian countries who attacked and conquered land in other countries. that they belonged to a hundred years before.
Who were the Normans?
- Originally they were Viking raiders and traders.
- They settled along the rivers of Normandy.
- The first Viking ruler in Normandy was Rollo who signed a pact with the French king in 911.
- Norman rulers continued to be military commanders and fought against neighbours.
- They converted to Christianity in 911 when they took over the land.
Key features of Norman society by the 11th century
We don鈥檛 know a great deal about the way that the Normans first lived in their part of northern France, but we do know that they showed clear aspects of change from the Viking society of Rollo and a few aspects of continuity.
Warfare:
The big change was that the Normans built up an army because they were now settlers on land. They still wanted to conquer other lands, but these would be adjacent to their borders.
Cavalry:
Norman knights were expert warriors and the horse replaced the ship as the key feature of Norman warfare. The Normans bred particular horses, called Type of horse used by soldiers in the Middle Ages., which would be strong enough to carry the knights in armour.
Dynasty:
The first Dukes of Normandy wanted to establish themselves as legitimate rulers within the A German tribe, the Franks, who invaded the western Roman Empire in the 5th century. territories. They did not bring wives with them from Scandinavia. They married into the royal families of the areas around them. Rollo married the daughter of the King of France.
Nobility:
The Normans developed a culture that became distinct from their Scandinavian ancestors, in language and customs.
Religion:
The Normans converted to Christianity as part of their pact with the King of France. The churches had suffered a decline when the North-men used to raid the area, but they were built up again when the Normans settled. Norman Someone of high rank with a title. became bishops and archbishops.
Monastries:
Duke Robert II started a major reform and rebirth of Norman monasteries in 1001. He brought in an Italian monk called William of Volpiano to lead the work. The number of Norman monasteries went from five in 1000 to more than 30 by 1066.