The
people of Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark and Sweden) found it difficult
to produce enough food their needs. In the 8th century Scandinavians,
who became known as Vikings or Northmen, began to send out raiding
parties in search of food and plunder. When they discovered the superior
quality of land in Europe some Vikings decided not to return to Scandinavia.
The Vikings who stayed in France became known as the Normans (Northmen).
The first great Norman leader was Rollo the
Ganger. After a fierce battle in 911 between the French and the
Normans, a peace-settlement was agreed. In exchange for Rollo becoming
a Christian the Normans were granted their own lands on the French
coast.
The Normans married local women and gradually adopted the French language.
They sometimes fought for the French king but were an independent
people and preferred to follow their own leader who became known as
the Duke of Normandy.
The Normans were successful farmers but they still felt the need to
raid other lands. The main reason for this was their belief in primogeniture
- when a Norman died all his property was given to his eldest son.
This often resulted in younger sons leaving to go in search of their
own lands.
As Christians, Normans feared that when they died they would be punished
for stealing land and for other crimes they had committed. To help
protect themselves the Normans used some of the wealth they obtained
from their raids to build churches and monasteries. Norman leaders
also went on pilgrimages to the Holy
Lands.
In 1035, Robert the Devil, fifth Duke
of Normandy, died while on a pilgrimage
to Jerusalem. Robert was a direct descendant of Rollo
the Ganger. Traditionally, the duke's eldest son became the next
leader. In Robert's case this proved a problem as he had not produced
any sons in marriage. However, he did have an illegitimate son called
William. Leading Normans decided that
William, who was only seven years old at the time, was to become the
new Duke of Normandy.
(1)
William
the Conqueror,
quoted by Ordericus
Vitalis in The Ecclesiastical
History (c. 1142)
The Normans,
when under the rule of a kind but firm master... excelling all others
in courage... they strive to conquer every enemy... They are eager
for rebellion and ready for every sort of crime. They must therefore
be restrained by the strong hand of justice. But if they are allowed
to take their own course will be overwhelmed with poverty, shame and
confusion.
(2)
William
of Malmesbury, The Deeds
of the Kings of the English (c. 1140)
The Normans...
can hardly live without war, fierce in attacking their enemies, and
when force fails, ready to corrupt by bribery.
(3)
Richard
FitzNeal, Dialogue of the Exchequer
(c. 1180)
After the conquest, those English who were left used to lie
in wait for the dreaded and hated Normans. They killed them in secluded
places.. The kings for some years inflicted the most terrible tortures
on the English, yet without effect, till at length they imagined the
following device. Wherever a Norman was found killed, if the killer
didn't show himself or even betray himself by flight, then the whole
of the district was fined.
(4) Laws
introduced by William the Conqueror in 1070.
I forbid that anyone found guilty
of murder or theft shall be hanged... but let his eyes be put out.
(5)
William
of Poitiers, Chronicle (c.1090)
The peasants...
wanted to... make use of the woods, forests and waters. Each assembly
of English people appointed
two deputies who were to meet in order to press their case. But (William),
learning of this, promptly sent a group of soldiers to scatter the
peasant gathering. They arrested all the deputies and some other peasants,
having first chopped off their hands and feet, they sent them back
home to their families, helpless for the rest of their lives.
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