Normans

Normans, inhabitants of Normandy, a region and former province of northwestern France, along the English Channel. The name is derived from “Norsemen”. In 911 Rollo, leader of Viking raider-settlers, was recognized as duke of the area by King Charles III of France. They adopted Christianity in the 10th century. In the 11th their duke, William, initiated the Norman Conquest of England. Normans were also active in the Crusades, in the reconquest of Spain, and in southern Italy and Sicily.