The House of Normandy: Difference between revisions

Normandy (Fr. ''Normandie'') is a region of North West France, given by the French King in the 9th Century to a group of Viking Raiders to settle in. It takes its name from these settlers ("Norse Men" -> "Norman" -> Normandy). Although technically a vassal state of France, by the 11th Century it was in all purposes a powerful state, with the Duke of Normandy being a respected statesman.

 

 

William and his heirs, however, still held French land and therefore owned fealty to the French King. This would cause endless problems in the years to come...

 

'''William I The Conqueror (1035- Duke of Normandy, 1066-1087 King of England)'''

 

[[File:William1_7102.jpg|frame|''"It is I, William! I live and with God's help, I will conquer!"'']]

 

A bastard in both [[Magnificent Bastard|magnificent]] and literal terms: the illegitimate son of Robert I of Normandy and a tanner's daughter (at one siege, his foes hung tanned hides from the battlements to mock him - not very wisely in the long run, since he chopped off both hands and both feet of every member of the garrison once he captured the place). His father died when he was eight, and he would spend the next twenty years involved in the battles between various French vassal states, as well as fighting Norman nobles who thought "Duke" sounded pretty good.

 

 

''The Build-Up To Hastings''<br />According to [[Unreliable Narrator|William's chroniclers]], in 1051, King Edward the Confessor of England visited William. Edward had actually grown up in Normandy, exiled from England after the Throne was seized by the Danish King Canute, and had been a bodyguard/regent for William until Canute's death opened a power vacuum and tempted him across the English Channel.

 

William was still warring as an old man, remaining strong though undeniably very podgy, eventually dying from internal injuries from hitting the high pommel of his saddle while falling off his horse.

 

'''William II Rufus (1087-1100)'''

 

Notably not the eldest son of the Conqueror, but Robert Curthose (who had rebelled against his father before, [[Disproportionate Retribution|due to his brothers dumping a chamber pot on his head]]) was made Duke of Normandy instead and agreed to be heir presumptive. An effective fighter and ruthless ruler (you had to be ruthless to be an strong king back then) not beloved by his nobles, he was named Rufus for his red-faced and maybe red-haired appearance (probably matching his [[Fiery Redhead|temperament]]), and notoriously was killed in a hunting '[[The Coroner Doth Protest Too Much|accident]]' in the New Forest. With a crossbow bolt in his lung. Often rumored to be pagan and/or gay.

 

'''Henry I (1100-1135)'''

 

The youngest son of William the Conqueror. William apparently recognized Henry's [[Magnificent Bastard]] tendencies from the beginning, and bequeathed him cash rather than land holdings, acknowledging that Henry would soon end up with everything anyway. Henry moved quickly to secure the treasury after his brother's death and was aided by Robert being far away, returning from a crusade. Granted a charter which would form the basis for future documents such as the Magna Carta, and undertook extensive legal and financial reforms during his reign. Married Edith of Scotland, thus linking his descendants to the pre-conquest West Saxon Royal Line. Famous for having the largest number of bastards of any English King (at over 20, still nothing on [[A Song of Ice and Fire|Walder Frey]]). Only two legitimate children lived to adulthood, his son and heir dying in the White Ship disaster, whereupon he made his barons swear to serve his daughter, Matilda (Maude).

 

'''Stephen of Blois (1135-1154), de facto monarch'''

 

Nephew of Henry and grandson of William I, (had an elder brother who did not want to be a contender to the throne). Proclaimed himself king upon Henry's death claiming he had changed his mind about his intended heir and was given the support of most of the barons in a peaceful start to the reign. Was not a very effective ruler and within a few years Matilda had gained enough support to contest her claim. His rule was marred by The Anarchy, a civil war running from 1139-1153 which severely diminished royal power. It ended when Matilda's son was named as heir instead of Stephen's.

 

'''Matilda (1140), de jure monarch, and the Anarchy'''

 

Daughter of Henry I and his chosen heir. Known as Empress Matilda from a previous marriage. She was an unpopular choice for ruler not only because of her [[Heir Club for Men|sex]], but because her current husband, Geoffrey of Anjou was from a powerful French House who were the traditional enemies and rivals of the Dukes of Normandy. Was aided in her fight by her half brother and past claimant, the illegitimate Robert, Earl of Gloucester, the eldest of Henry's bastards and a powerful captain and nobleman. Such was his importance to her fight that after her forces captured Stephen she later had to trade her rival back in return for Robert when he too was captured. Her son was made heir in 1153, ending the direct rule of the House of Normandy.

 

* [[The Pillars of the Earth]] spans the Anarchy and ends during Henry II's reign

 

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[[Category:Hollywood History]]

[[Category:Historical Domain Character]]