An Aussie Mug's guide to - England's Medieval Kings of the Middle Ages.
After a quick history lesson I'll begin with the first Medieval King to rule the Kingdom of the English, Aethelstan. From there I'll go through the monarchy one by one ending w...
ENGLAND's MEDIEVAL KINGS OF THE MIDDLE AGES Part 3
Nothing is unobtainable to the sword! Edward John Moreton Drax Plunkett 18th Lord of Dunsany 1858-1957AD
ORIGINS OF NORMANDY & THE NORMANS
The origins of what is now France stem from times when Celtic and Belgic tribes, known as Gauls, ruled in the east and to the north. The Romans invaded the area fifty years or so after conquering Briton, also placing it into the western province of their Empire they named Gallia Lugdunensis.
In time Germanic Franks gained control over the Romans until the end of the eighth century, naming the western area Neustria. In the late ninth and early tenth centuries the Scandinavians wreaked havoc in Neustria culminating in the siege of Chartres.
Norse Viking leader Rollo and the Western Franks, led by Charles the Simple, were the combatants. The Simple One took the honours, although he granted Rollo and his Vikings land on the west coast between the River Sein and what is now the town of Rouen. That was on the proviso that the Norse leader pledged vassalage to his feudal lord, convert his religion and defend the Sein's estuaries against invaders. Like him!
The Province became known as Normandy, a name derived from the Norsemen themselves and the first Duke of course was Rollo. In the mid-eleventh century Normandy was bordered by the dominions of Brittany to the south, Maine and Anjou to the east and Flanders to the north.
The future Conqueror of England, Duke William II of Normandy, stepped into the chair after his father's death and both were direct descendants of Duke Rollo.
The House of Normandy
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KING WILLIAM I William the Conqueror ....was around thirty eight years of age when he became King of the Kingdom of the English from 1066-1087AD. He was also known as William the Great, William II Duke of Normandy, Guillaume de Normandie, William the Bastard, The Bastard & I'm guessing occasionally You Bloody Bastard? ;)
William (Bill/Billy) was born at Rouen, Normandycirca 1028AD, the illegitimate son of Duke Robert I The Magnificent of Normandy and his concubine Herleva of Falaise. His father was also known as Robert The Devil and his mother Arlette, so I wonder if Robby got his nickname because he was a horny devil too.....another one! Arlette was the daughter of a tanner, an occupation seen as low as youcan go in Medieval employment circles, you could say Herleva had a hide hooking up with that magnificent devil.
