The Anglo-Norman period of English literature refers to the period of time in which the literature of England was written in the Norman French language, which was spoken by the Normans who conquered England in 1066. This period lasted from the 11th to the 13th centuries.

Who were the Normans?

The Normans were descendants of the Vikings, who were originally from Scandinavia. These Scandinavian Vikings were initially notorious invaders and raiders who had obliterated Northumbrian civilization in the 9th century (W.J Long). Vikings conducted numerous raids across various parts of Europe, including Francia, before settling in Normandy.an

By the early 10th century, in recognition of their strength and to stop the raids, the King Charles the Simple, the King of the Franks granted the Viking leader Rollo and his men land along the northern coast of France in a region that would become known as Normandy.

“Frankish” refers to the people and culture of the Franks, a group of Germanic tribes that once inhabited the region that is now France.

The Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte

The agreement between the two parties was formalized in the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte in 911.

The Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte was a landmark agreement made in 911 between Charles the Simple and Rollo. It was a strategic move to address the ongoing Viking incursions in Francia.

It was an effort by Charles to bring stability to the region by formally integrating the Vikings into his realm. This grant of land was not just a mere concession but also a clever move by Charles to use the Vikings as a buffer against further Viking invasions.

Under the terms of this treaty, Rollo pledged fealty to Charles, agreeing to defend the lands against other Viking raids. In return, Charles granted Rollo a significant territory along the Seine River, which later came to be known as Normandy, named after the Norsemen or Northmen, as the Vikings were often called.

A pivotal condition of this agreement was Rollo’s conversion to Christianity, symbolizing his commitment to the new land and its customs. This conversion was a significant step in the cultural integration and assimilation of the Viking settlers with the Frankish inhabitants.

This was a crucial step in moving from a period of raids and temporary settlements to a more stable and governed region. The Treaty marked the beginning of Normandy as a distinct political entity and paved the way for the Vikings to permanently settle in France.

Rollo, as part of the agreement of the Treaty, married Gisla, the daughter of King Charles the Simple. This marriage symbolizes the integration of Rollo into the Frankish nobility and Christian society. This marriage was not just a personal union but also had political implications, as it solidified the alliance and the terms of the treaty between Rollo and Charles the Simple.

It was a unique blend of Viking and Frankish cultures and laid the foundation for the region’s future development.

The treaty was a critical moment in the history of medieval Europe, representing a shift from the era of Viking raids to a period of settlement and political integration. (Dr Mark Hagger)

They settled in the region of Normandy in what is now Northern France in the early 10th century.

Assimilation

They assimilated, adopting French customs, language, and ideals. (W.J Long)

when it is said that the Vikings mingled with the local Frankish and Gallo-Roman populations, it means that the Vikings, who were Scandinavian seafarers and warriors, settled in the area given to them by the Frankish king and over time married, had families, and combined their customs and traditions with those of the local people.
These locals were a mix of the descendants of the original Frankish tribes and the Gallo-Romans, who themselves were a mix of the indigenous Celtic peoples of Gaul and the Romans who had conquered and lived in the region. This cultural blending eventually led to the unique Norman culture in the region of Normandy.

When the Vikings and the people from the area now known as France (who were a mix of local Gallic tribes and Romans) came together, they created a new group of people. These new people, the Normans, had the best qualities of both their ancestors. They were strong and creative like the Vikings and smart and interested in learning like the French people with their Roman background. So, the Normans ended up being a strong, smart, and creative group because they combined the good points of both the Vikings and the French-Roman people.

This blending of cultures resulted in a people enriched by both Norse and French (specifically Roman-Gallic) traits. The text emphasizes that this union produced individuals who possessed the finest attributes of both lineages, combining Norse vigor and imagination with French (Roman) curiosity and intellect.

Language of the Normans

The Normans in Normandy spoke a form of Old French that evolved from the Latin spoken by Roman soldiers and the local Gallo-Romance languages. Over time, as the Normans settled and integrated more into French culture, their language became more closely aligned with the evolving French language. This language was carried to England by the Norman conquerors, where it influenced the development of Middle English. (W.J Long)

“Gallo-Roman,” on the other hand, refers to the people and culture in Gaul (a region corresponding roughly to modern-day France and neighboring areas) during the Roman Empire and after its fall, specifically those of mixed Gallic (the original Celtic inhabitants of Gaul) and Roman (from the Roman settlers and administrators) heritage.

The Romance languages are derivatives of Latin, not in its classical literary form, but as a vernacular that developed in Roman military camps and provinces. These languages evolved from the intermingling of Roman soldiers with native populations, leading to the modern Romance languages of Italian, Spanish, and French. (W.J Long)

Why did Norman Conquest begin?

W. F. Allen provides some historical context regarding the events leading to the Norman invasion. It mentions that the Danish invasions, which began before the time of King Egbert, were temporarily halted during the reigns of powerful English rulers like Athelstane or Edgar.

They didn’t really want to mess with powerful rulers. The Vikings, or later the Normans shifted their focus to the coasts of the European Continent, where governments were weaker and more disorganized, offering opportunities for rich plunder with little danger. After Alfred, as Ethelred ascended to the throne, the situation changed, possibly making England a more attractive target again for invasion. W. F. Allen

1. “Harold, a lawfully elected king of England, in every respect a representative of the institutions of his native land,” W. F. Allen

According to W. F. Allen, the Norman invasion of England had two main objectives. Firstly, to support the rules of the Church against England, which wasn’t following them.

Secondly, it was to enforce a claim to the English throne. While some people in Europe might have supported the Norman’s claim to the English throne, in England, this claim was not recognized, whether based on hereditary rights or as a gift from King Edward.

When William of Normandy presented his claim to the English crown and sought the judgment of Pope Alexander II on the matter, this was what the powerful person controlling the Pope wanted. It showed he used power to his advantage, especially when he later became the Pope himself.

Harold was the legally chosen king of England and he fully represented English traditions and systems.

Three major impacts of the Conquest on England

The “battle of Hastings” in 1066, where William, Duke of Normandy defeated Harold, the last of the Saxon kings, and became the ruler of England.

The conquest introduced a French-speaking ruling class and imposed “a French literary ideal” upon England, along with French laws and administration. This influence significantly shaped the English literature and language. Kalaynath

W.J Long discusses three major effects of the Norman Conquest on England:

1. Cultural Revival:

When the Normans arrived in England, they brought with them new cultural elements and ideas from Roman civilization. This introduction of new cultural aspects helped rejuvenate English culture, which was seen as having stagnated at the time.

The period before the Norman Conquest is often considered a downfall or decline in English culture for several reasons. During this time, England experienced political instability and fragmentation, with various Saxon kingdoms often in conflict with each other. This lack of unity and constant warfare hindered cultural and social development.

2. Strong Government:

There were frequent Viking invasions, which caused destruction and disruption. This unstable environment is contrasted with the changes brought by the Normans, who introduced more centralized governance and new cultural influences, leading to a revitalization of English society and culture.

The Norman Conquest was different from the earlier English and Viking takeovers. It was a takeover by a well-organized group who already had a government. The feudal and monarchical principles were introduced to England by the Normans, who were seen as the most powerful group in Europe. W. F. Allen

They introduced the idea of a unified, central government, replacing the divided Saxon rule, which was more fragmented and localized. The Normans established a more centralized system of governance where power was more consolidated and organized, contributing to a stronger sense of national unity. (W.J Long)

3. New Language and Literature:

The Normans introduced French language and literature. For about 300 years, French was the elite language in England, but the English language kept its essence while also adopting French words, enriching the language and leading to the development of modern English with a more diverse vocabulary and cultural influence. (W.J Long)

Post-conquest, a large influx of French words, around “ten thousand,” were assimilated into English, affecting various domains such as government, law, and the arts. Kalaynath

Over time, the dialect of London, the court, and universities gained prominence, and by the end of the Middle English period, the dialect modified by Chaucer would become the foundation of modern English.

Here are the characteristics of the Anglo-Norman period:

The Norman Conquest: In 1066, the Normans, a people from what is now modern-day France, invaded and conquered England. This event had a significant impact on the language and culture of England, as the Normans spoke a version of French called Norman French and brought with them many of their own cultural practices.

The emergence of English literature: Despite the dominance of Norman French, English literature began to emerge during this period, with works such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth being written in Old English.

Notable works of the Anglo-Norman period: Some of the most notable works of literature produced during the Anglo-Norman period include the Anglo-Norman epic poem “The Song of Roland,” the Norman-French epic “The Song of the Cid,” and the Old English epic poem “Beowulf.”

Literary figures of the Anglo-Norman period: Some of the most important literary figures of the Anglo-Norman period include Geoffrey of Monmouth, William of Malmesbury, and Walter Map.

The influence of Norman French: The influence of Norman French can be seen in many aspects of English literature during this period, including the use of French words and phrases, the adoption of French literary forms and genres, and the influence of French cultural practices.