Normans

a term meaning Northmen. It was applied in a general way to the people of Scandinavia, but particularly to the Vikings, who, in the tenth century, established themselves in the valley of the Seine. They were great rovers and plunderers. They had previously ascended the Seine as far as Paris, from which they had been persuaded to retire only on the payment of gold. Charles, the king of western France, was glad to form a treaty with their leader, Rollo, giving him his daughter in marriage. The lower valley of the Seine was ceded to the Normans, together with the northern coast from Picardy to Brittany. It is still known as Normandy. It is one of the most fertile districts of France, famous for wheat, apples, and cider. The Channel Islands, including Jersey and Guernsey, are a part of ancient Normandy. Dieppe, Havre, Caen, Bayeux, and Cherbourg are Norman cities. The Norman capital was Rouen. The Norman invaders were, of course, far outnumbered by the native French. They were soon absorbed by the common people and adopted their language and religion. In 1066, William, duke of Normandy, crossed the English channel and seized the throne of England, which his family held until the accession of the Plantagenets in 1154. See Rouen; Havre; Bayeux Tapestry; William The Conqueror; Hastings; Vikings