The NormansThe Normans

By Marcus Lowry 16/1/14

History of the Normans

At the beginning of the 10th century French king Charles Simple gave land to a Viking chief called Rollo so they might leave France alone.

In 1030 a small Norman army invaded Italy by 1099 they had conquered most of southern Italy.

Battle & Motte and baily

Why the Normans came to Ireland?

The Normans came to Ireland because the high king Ruairi O’Connor banished Diarmuid Mac Murrough who went to King Henry 11 to ask for his help. Henry authorised help from his lords in Normandy. The invading army was to strong for the Irish.

Normans

The Normans first arrived in Ireland in 1169 near Bannow in county Waterford.

The Normans spoke French originating from Normandy but in time adopted the Irish language.

The Normans were Christians and built many monasteries and churches.

The Normans integrated with the communities sending their children to local schools.

They enjoyed hunting, music and poetry.

The boys played with shields and toy swords while the girls played with dolls and learned to sew,also a popular pass time was chess and drafts.

Norman settlementThe earliest Norman settlements consisted of a wooden fort usually built on a man made hill by a river these were known as motte and bailey.

In time the Normans started building stronger forts made of stone. Towns and villages grew around their castles.

Life in the castle

The lord and his family lived in the main castle, the workers and soldiers lived within the grounds. There were work shops and stables inside the walls. Food was dried, smoked or preserved in barrels.

MY COAT OF ARMS

My ancestors originating from Scotland where high kings. My great great grandfather left Scotland and emigrated to county Antrim in the 1800’s.

The endThank you for listening