The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 09 : $b Italy
History
The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 09 : $b Italy
World history
Whilst these events were taking place in the interior of France, the
Breton generals, in the vicinity of Normandy, commenced, perhaps in
revenge for the incursions of the Scandinavians, ravaging the territory
of their neighbours, and invaded the province of Bayeux, but Rollo
appeared with his warriors, engaged in battle with the aggressors and
conquered them. One of the Breton counts, Beranger, yielded to the
Normans; another, Alan, the chief instigator of the war, took refuge in
England. The nobles who had fought under these two commanders established
themselves in France, in Burgundy, or in Aquitaine; some of them followed
Alan to England. All those who remained were obliged to acknowledge the
suzerainty of the duke of Normandy. The neighbouring provinces, such as
Anjou and Poitou, were henceforth delivered from the hostile irruptions
of these turbulent chiefs. Thus, Rollo, in his old age, found himself
the peaceful possessor of Normandy, and able to maintain order and peace
therein.
It is said that Charles the Simple, while he was still upon the
throne, secretly sent emissaries to Rouen to his daughter Gisela who
had married Rollo; that this clandestine mission gave umbrage to the
Normans, and that Rollo seized and publicly put to death the envoys of
his father-in-law. Gisela died sometime afterwards; and Rollo lived as
before with Popa, by whom he had two children, a son named William, and a
daughter called Gerloc, who later received the Christian name of Adela or
Adeline.
When William grew to man’s estate, the Norman nobles requested their
duke to appoint his successor. He named his son, and he it was the
Normans had in mind, in spite of his illegitimacy. The nobles swore
fidelity and obedience to him beforehand. Rollo lived for five years
after this important event, and died of old age at Rouen. The precise
date of his death, and also his age, are unknown. Everything tends to
show that it was about the year 930, that the death of the first and
probably octogenarian duke of Normandy took place. His bravery, his
steadfastness, the energy of his government are incontestable, but it is
permissible to doubt the truth of the eulogies which the Norman monks in
their chronicles have bestowed upon his devotion, and his respect for
the clergy. It is possible he enriched the churches and convents, that
he walked in processions, and with bare feet before the relics of St.
Ouen, formerly taken to France, and which he forced his father-in-law to
restore; but on the other hand we read in an English chronicle, that he
sold or allowed to be sold many relics belonging to the Norman churches,
which were acquired by his ally, Athelstan, king of England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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