Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

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Today, solid sTone casTles in england, sicily, and France stand as

reminders of the normans, warriors from northern France, who transformed

europe during the 11th and 12th centuries. The normans were descendants of

the norsemen, or Vikings, and were formidable fighters. They settled in northern

France during the early 900s in an area now known as normandy. The normans

were not only warriors but also skilled administrators. Their dukes created a

complex and efficient society by dividing their kingdom into areas called fiefs.

a knight controlled each fief. The normans reached their height of power

under William, duke of normandy, who led the conquest of england in 1066.

They quickly transformed england into a norman kingdom, building

castles to defend their conquests, as well as churches, monasteries,

and cathedrals. By the mid-12th century, the saxons and

normans had begun to merge into one nation, ruled

by the Plantagenet dynasty. in 1204, the king of

France conquered normandy and took it over.

Normans

Paris

Bayeux TaPesTry

dating from the

11th century, the Bayeux

tapestry was produced to

record the norman conquest

of england. it shows scenes

of battle, and can be seen

today at Bayeux, in France.

domesday Book

in 1085, king William i ordered

a complete survey of england. known

as the domesday Book, it contained

thorough details of people, goods,

animals, and lands

for almost the

whole country.

emPire

at the height of norman power,

Henry ii (reigned 1154-89)

ruled england and much of

France, and a separate group of

normans had conquered

southern italy, and sicily.

Architecture

The normans were skilled

architects. They built strong

castles to guard their conquests,

such as the Tower of london,

which stands to this day. They

also built churches, cathedrals,

and monasteries. norman

churches have intricately

carved arches over the doors

and windows, and massive

walls and pillars.

Brittany

Wales england

William THe conqueror

William, duke of normandy (c. 1028-87), was a brilliant

but ruthless general, and administrator. He led the

norman invasion of england and, after defeating

the saxon king, Harold ii, was crowned king of england.

Find out more

castles

France

united kingdom, history of

Vikings

aquitaine

scotland

Sovereign

states

Unconquered

ireland territory

Conquered

territory

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