William the Conqueror

Normandy in the 10th Century

The new duchy was a frontier land, filled with constant warfare. Viking raids continued, of course, but the Normans fought among themselves and with their neighbors. And Normandy became stronger, gathering territories and becoming one of the more powerful duchies in France. The Norman dukes owed allegiance to the King of the Franks, but the French king was a weak, shadowy figure in these years, and the dukes were essentially independent.

The state of things in the 10th century can be seen in the names of the dukes: William Longsword, for example, grandfather of the Conqueror. As with the kings of the day, the office of duke was no more powerful than the man who bore the title, and Normandy was fortunate to have several men who were strong.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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