Rollo ruled with a Viking code of law based upon the concept of personal honor và individual responsibility.
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He is the great-great-great grandfather of William the Conqueror (first Norman King of England, 1066-1087 CE) & ancestor, or supposed ancestor, of a number of European monarchs who trace their line lớn his immediate descendants. Since 2013 CE, Rollo has been featured in the TV series Vikings in which he is played by British actor Clive Standen. Contrary to his depiction in the series, there is no evidence to suggest that Rollo was the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok but there are suggestions that Rollo did participate in, or even lead, the siege of Paris in 885-886 CE as depicted in the show.
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Whoever or whatever he was prior khổng lồ ruling Normandy, Rollo kept his word lớn Charles và not only protected the region from Viking raiders but restored order to the lvà which he had previously helped destroy. He is said lớn have ruled with a Viking code of law based upon the concept of personal honor & individual responsibility và reformed the weak & ineffectual laws which magistrates had been struggling to lớn enforce prior to his reign. He died sometime around 930 CE, probably of natural causes as no mention of his death appears in any records of the time indicating otherwise.
Early Life & Origins
Many of the details of Rollo of Normandy"s life are semi-legendary, as the scholar Robert Ferguson notes:
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Also known khổng lồ his biographers, chroniclers, & poets as Rollo, Rollon, Robert, Rodulf, Ruinus, Rosso, Rotlo and Hrolf, Granger Rolf or Rolf the Walker, founder in about 911 of what became the duchy of Normandy, is another of those, like Ragnar Hairy-Breeches và Ivar the Boneless, whose prominence aước ao their contemporaries conspired over the years with an almost complete lachồng of biographical information to transform them from ordinary mortals inkhổng lồ dense hybrids of men, myth, và legover. (177)
Ferguson"s point is well made in that no one knows where Rollo came from, his lineage, or what precisely he did prior lớn his involvement with Charles the Simple. Even after the foundation of Normandy (from `Northmen" to designate the l& of the Vikings) his story is far from certain in that it was ornamented by the Norman historian Dubởi of Saint-Quentin (10th century CE) some time around 986 CE in his History of the Normans.
Dudo claims he was an aristocrat from Denmark who raided the Kingdom of West Francia with his fellow Danes prior khổng lồ his contract with Charles & conversion khổng lồ Christianity. Dubởi vì also claims he was a friover và comrade of one king Alstem of East Anglia whom scholars have sầu identified as the former Viking leader Guthrum (died c. 890 CE) who was defeated at the Battle of Eddington by Alfred the Great in 878 CE, was forced lớn convert khổng lồ Christianity, and rose khổng lồ the kingship of East Anglia by 880 CE. Rollo"s close relationship with Guthrum argues for his Danish origins since it is known that Guthrum was a Dane and, as Ferguson points out, their meeting, as described in Dudo"s trương mục, “has the chất lượng ring of one ex-pat fondly greeting another” (178).
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It has also been claimed that Rollo was from Norway, again of aristocratic lineage, but this clayên ổn appears later in the 11th century CE và was popularized in the 12th century CE in the works of William of Malmesbury (c.1095-c.1143 CE). Rollo"s grandson, Robert II Archbicửa hàng of Rouen (r. 989-1037 CE) was known as Robert the Dane và it is also clear that the majority of Viking raiders came from Denmark so a Danish origin is not only probable but reasonable. There is no clear consensus on this, however, và recent efforts khổng lồ finally substantiate Rollo"s origins have sầu failed.
In 2016 CE, Norwegian archaeologists were granted permission to open the tomb of Rollo"s grandson Richard I (r.942-996 CE) và great-grandson Richard II (r.996-1026 CE) but found that the bodies in the sarcophagus belonged lớn neither of these men &, in fact, were much older than the time of the Viking raids. Most likely, according to lớn the archaeologists who opened the tomb, the two bodies were placed in the sarcophagus from another grave and those of Richard I & II relocated at an unknown point in the past to lớn protect them from grave sầu robbers. However that may be, it sheds no light on Rollo"s origins.
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Dudo"s trương mục of Rollo"s life, & therefore his Danish origins, has been repeatedly challenged by scholars who point out the obvious Christianization of the man và his actions. Even so, Dudo"s work is the first to lớn record anything about Rollo (it was commissioned by Richard I) & he had access to lớn Rollo"s immediate descendants as well as documents which were then lost.
Every later writer on Rollo, including William of Malmesbury, drew on Dudo"s work for their own accounts and so, in spite of later claims of a Norwegian origin, it is most likely Rollo was from Denmark, as Duvị claims, even though many scholars prefer the Norwegian claim of the later Icelandic chronicler/historian Snorri Sturlson (1179-1241 CE) because they find corroboration for his claims in the earlier work of Richer of Rheims (10th century CE). As with many great Viking figures, the legkết thúc of Rollo of Normandy eventually overshadowed and then obscured the man"s actual life.
Viking Chieftain
It is certain, however, that he was a Viking chieftain who conducted rsida in the Kingdom of West Francia. The chronicler Flodoard (c.893-966 CE) describes a Viking raid c. 876 CE which devastated the region around Rouen & this corresponds to what Dubởi vì says of Rollo"s activity in the region at the same time. Viking raids in Francia began in 820 CE and continued regularly, with ships making easy incursions up the Seine River, until the peace was concluded with Rollo in c. 911 CE.
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The first raid in 8trăng tròn CE was unsuccessful because the Vikings had no idea of who or what they would encounter once they landed. They were therefore easily defeated by the shore guard and, suffering losses, retreated. When they returned in 841 CE, under the command of Asgeir, they were much better prepared. They sacked & burned Rouen and carried off enormous amounts of loot. This raid was followed by the Norse chieftain Reginherus" 845 CE siege of Paris which only concluded when Charles the Bald (r.843-877 CE) paid the Vikings to lớn leave.
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By c.858 CE, the raids on Francia were so lucrative sầu to the Vikings that the famous leaders Bjorn Ironside (allegedly the son of Ragnar Lothbrok và his queen Aslaug) and Hastein (also known as Hasting) attacked the region either just before or following their famous raiding expedition khổng lồ the Mediterranean. In 876 CE, 100 ships sailed up the Seine lớn lay waste lớn the region and this raid was most likely led or co-led by Rollo or, if not, he at least seems to lớn have sầu played a significant role in the event. It also seems fairly certain that he played a significant role in the later siege of Paris in 885-886 CE.
Statue of Rollo of Normandy, Falaise
Michael Shea (CC BY-SA)
By this time, it was obvious khổng lồ Charles the Simple that trying khổng lồ fight off the Viking raiders was futile. The only times West Francia experienced anything close lớn a positive outcome in these raids was when the king paid the Vikings to lớn leave sầu the cities alone. As Ferguson notes, “the policy of a sometimes well-meaning appeasement had been practiced by Frankish rulers for almost a century prior khổng lồ the agreement
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Their agreement, therefore, was nothing new but simply the continuation of a policy of defense which seemed khổng lồ work the best. The difference between the contract of 911 CE & the earlier payoffs was the character of Rollo. Unlike the earlier Viking leaders who took their loot và then either returned or encouraged others lớn raid, Rollo took the deal offered seriously & committed himself to the king & the people he had sworn lớn protect.
Rollo và Charles the Simple
According khổng lồ Dubởi, the Franks under Charles the Simple finally understood that there was no stopping the Viking rsida và they were either going lớn have sầu lớn continue to lớn pay whatever price a Viking leader asked or find some new slant on the old policy. The king"s counselors asked him why he was not prepared khổng lồ vì more lớn save sầu his kingdom than he had been doing & he, enraged, basically told them that if they had any better ideas he would be happy lớn entertain them. Duvì chưng writes that the counselors responded:
If you will trust us, we will give you advice fitting & wholesome for you and for the kingdom, so that the people, who are all too stricken with want, may have repose. Let the lvà from the River Andelle khổng lồ the sea be given to lớn the pagan peoples; và in addition, join your daughter to Rollo in marriage. And thereby you will be able to grow mightily in power against the peoples who resist you; for Rollo is born of the proud blood of kings & of chiefs; he is very fair of body, a ready fighter, far-sighted in counsel, seemly in appearance, amenable lớn us, a faithful friend khổng lồ those khổng lồ whom he gives his word, a ferocious enemy to those whom he opposes, a constant and amenable vassal in all things, with a shrewd mind, such as we need. (Dudo"s History 2:25)
After considering their counsel, Charles sent the Archbicửa hàng of Rouen to lớn Rollo to present the offer. Rollo consulted with his Danish chiefs who pointed out that the lvà, though presently desolate, had a number of redeeming features và that he should accept the proposal.
Rollo did so & a date was mix for his baptism and marriage to lớn Charles" daughter Gisla (also given as Gisela, c. 911 CE). When the day arrived, however, Rollo refused lớn go through with the baptism, pointing out that the land the king was offering hlặng was in ruin & would take some years to restore to health. The king"s counselors advised hlặng to lớn give Rollo whatever he wanted in order khổng lồ not only protect the kingdom but win souls for Christ who would be impressed by a Viking leader embracing Christianity.
Charles offered Rollo Flanders but Rollo declined because the l& was too marshy & so the king then offered him Brittany, which bordered the lands offered in the contract, and Rollo accepted all of it. In order to finalize the giảm giá khuyến mãi, and show proper respect to lớn the king, Rollo was then asked khổng lồ kiss the king"s foot but, as Dubởi vì relates:
Rollo was unwilling to kiss the king"s foot and the bishops said: “He who accepts a gift such as this ought to go as far as kissing the king"s foot.” But Rollo replied: “I will never bow my knees at the knees of any man and no man"s foot will I kiss." And so, urged on by the prayers of the Franks, he ordered one of his warriors khổng lồ kiss the king"s foot. And the man immediately grasped the king"s foot và raised it lớn his mouth and planted a kiss on it while he remained standing, & laid the king flat on his baông xã. So there arose a great laugh
The king and his nobles were not bothered by the upphối, however, và Rollo was baptized, married lớn Gisla, & took possession of his lands in accordance with the Treaty of Saint Clair sur Epte in 911 CE. He instantly engaged in a policy of reformation & renovation as Duvày describes:
He imposed everlasting privileges & laws on the people, authorized & decreed by the will of the chief men, & he compelled them khổng lồ dwell together in peace. He raised up churches that had been demolished lớn the ground, he rebuilt temples that had been ruined by the visitations of the heathens, và he made new and extended the walls and defenses of cities. (2:31)
Rollo improved the lands he had been given in every aspect but, just as significantly, honored the treaty he had made with Charles: there are no records of any more Viking rsida inkhổng lồ Francia after 911 CE.
Rollo of Normandy
Although Rollo is often referenced as the first Duke of Normandy, he never held that title (Richard II, his great-grandson, was the first duke). He is sometimes called Count Rollo by later historians but contemporary documents refer lớn hyên simply as “Rollo”. A land grant from 918 CE, for example, mentions “lands which we have sầu granted to the Normans of the Seine, namely lớn Rollo and his companions, for the defense of the kingdom” (Ferguson, 183). Whatever title he claimed for himself is unknown but early historians like Duvì & Flodoard refer lớn hyên as “Chieftain”.
By all accounts, he ruled his kingdom as a Viking chief, reforming passive laws which seemed khổng lồ merely suggest acceptable behavior & implementing a law code which emphasized personal honor và responsibility. Robbery, assault, & murder were punishable by death but so was fraud as one anecdote makes clear:
Rollo had introduced a decree ordering that farm implements be left out in the field & not taken into the house at the over of the day. To make it appear as though they had done so and been robbed, it seems that a farmer"s wife hid her husband"s ploughing implements. Rollo reimbursed the man for his loss and ordered the trials by orgiảm giá khuyến mãi of the potential suspects. When all survived the orđơn hàng, he had the wife beaten until she confessed. And when the husb& admitted that he had known it was her all along, Rollo handed down a finding of guilty on two counts: “The one, that you are the head of the woman và ought khổng lồ have sầu chastised her. The other, that you were an accessory lớn the theft và were unwilling khổng lồ discthua it.” He had them both hung & finished off by a cruel death, an action which Duvì credibly claims so terrified the local inhabitants that the territory became and remained không tính phí of petty criminality for a century afterwards. (Ferguson, 186-187)
In another instance, he punished some men who were guilty of dishonoring his reputation and that of his wife by having them executed in the public square of his capital at Rouen. This discouraged others from bearing false witness against their neighbors through gossip & slander.
These measures seem to lớn have sầu appeared harsh lớn some of the bishops of the region who appealed to the Pope for advice. They were told lớn view Rollo"s conversion, & conversion of the pagans generally, “not as an event but a process which would inevitably take time to complete” (Ferguson, 188). Whatever problems the bishops had with Rollo"s reign, they could not argue with his success in maintaining law and order or the prosperity he brought khổng lồ the l&.
Depiction in Vikings và Legacy
In the TV series Vikings, Rollo is the brother of Ragnar Lothbrok who, after the siege of Paris, is left in West Francia lớn hold a spot on the Seine in order to lớn enable future rsida. Having been told by the village seer baông xã home page that he would one day rule a kingdom, Rollo is easily persuaded by the Franks khổng lồ betray his brother"s trust & accept their offer of land and marriage to the princess Gisla. As noted, nothing is known of the historical Rollo"s youth, upbringing, relatives, or even place of origin and there is no evidence he was related khổng lồ Ragnar Lothbrok. The historical Gisela of France was a very young girl at the time of her betrothal lớn Rollo và so her character in the series is fictionalized.
The only events depicted in the TV series which correlate khổng lồ the historical Rollo are those having khổng lồ vị with the foundation of Normandy and defense of the region; including, apparently, his mastery of the language. Rollo is also said to lớn have sầu been quite tall & broad-shouldered (as he is depicted in the show) và was given the epithet “the walker” because he preferred walking lớn riding a horse (or, alternatively, was too heavy for a horse to lớn carry).
Rollo retired in c. 927 CE và was succeeded by his son William Longsword (r. 927-942 CE), dying shortly afterwards in c. 930 CE. William Longsword"s illegitimate son, Richard I (also known as Richard the Fearless) came khổng lồ the throne at around the age of ten, following his father"s death. Richard I honored the policies of his father và grandfather and this policy would be continued by Richard II.
The reigns of his successors, Richard III (1026-1027 CE) and Robert I (1027-1035 CE) were marked by instability và civil war which ended with the reign of William I (William the Conqueror), who was Duke of Normandy 1035-1087 CE as well as King of Englvà from 1066-1087 CE. William"s conquest of Englvà radically changed not only British society but European culture overall & his polices eđến those implemented earlier by Rollo of Normandy.
