England, Normandy and Scandinavia
Lynn Abrams
Normandy's origins lie in the context of Frankish politics ninth century, when competing Carolingian kings and princes struggled for power, Viking armies preyed on centres wealth uncoordinated, irregular, but disabling attacks, from northern Britain to Mediterranean. Hoping employ poachers as gamekeepers, if only temporarily, embattled native rulers granted land some kind authority leaders Frisia, Francia, British Isles, Rollo's early tenth-century settlement Seine survived; it was transformed by his descendants into mighty political player which, second half eleventh drastically altered balance power redrew map western Europe. For years issue has divided historians. Some have seen little Scandinavian character inheritance first settlers argued continuity, supposing that Rollo handed a cultural package arrival 911. Supporters continuity later workings ducal visible end continuum which began unfortunate obscurity took over exercise public predecessors. A contrary view characterised stages control insecure makeshift; but, is argued, Vikings proceeded dig themselves they fashioned new social order drawing more fundamentally their own customs institutions law, regulations, agrarian maritime practice. subscribers this would see late grafted onto an enduringly stem. Crucial question numbers: large complement immigrants (of all levels) presumably been required produce society with strong flavour, while small aristocratic minority might made less impression culture (though neither these assumptions gone unchallenged). The difficulty deciding between two options consists reconciling faces – presented Norman evidence.