Who were they?

Feudal System

Beginning

The Normans invaded England in 1066 from Normandy in Northern France, but they were originally Vikings from Scandinavia. At the beginning of the tenth century Charles the Simple , gave land in the North of France to a Viking chief named Rollo in attempt to get them to stop attacking their land. The land became known as Northmannia, which was shortened to Normandy. In the year 1030 a group of Normans conquered land in Italy. By 1099 they had taken over most of Southern Italy.

The feudal system in England was very different from other states in previous years. The feudal lords who were considered to be  the highest power, were disrespected by the dukes who continued to do what was in their best interest. These dukes built a tight, centralized state where they were the authority, and attempted to take down the feudal system by limiting vassals to pass down land to sub vassals.