Normans

The Normans were Vikings who were granted lands to settle in by the French king in Normandy in Northern France. Their name is derived from "North Men", and they originally spoke Old Norse, but came to speak Norman French. In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy staged the Norman Conquest of England and became known as William the Conqueror. The Normans in England built castles and used the armoured knight to subdue any territory they conquered.

The Normans and other Vikings spread widely across much of Europe, from Russia to France to Sicily. Their greatest impact by far was on England.

Further reading[edit]

• Chibnall, Marjorie. The Normans (2006) excerpt and text search
• Gravett, Christopher. Norman Knight AD 950-1204 (1995) excerpt and text search
• Neveux, Francois. A Brief History of the Normans (2008) excerpt and text search