The district ceded to Rollo developed into what in later
times was known as the duchy of Normandy. Its Scandinavian settlers, henceforth
called Normans, [15] soon became French in language and culture. It was amazing
to see how quickly the descendants of wild sea-rovers put off their heathen
ways and made their new home a Christian land, noted for its churches,
monasteries, and schools. Normandy remained practically independent till the
beginning of the thirteenth century, when a French king added it to his
possessions. [16]
[15] "Norman" is a softened form of
"Northman."
[16] In 1911 A.D. Normandy celebrated in the ancient
capital of Rouen the thousandth anniversary of its existence.
THE NORMANS AND HUGH CAPET, 987 A.D.
The Normans helped to found the medieval French monarchy.
During the tenth century the old Carolingian line of rulers, which had already
died out in Germany and Italy, came also to an end in France. A new
dynasty was then founded by a nobleman named Hugh Capet, who secured the aid of
the powerful Norman dukes in his efforts to gain the throne. The accession of
Hugh Capet took place in 987 A.D. His descendants reigned over France for
almost exactly eight hundred years. [18]
[18] The abolition of the French monarchy dates from 1792
A.D., when Louis XVI was deposed from the throne.
