The growing breach between
the Franks created a favorable situation for the Vikings who
began raiding French seaports, river towns and other settlements
close to waterways. These Viking advances along the northern
and western perimeter of France continued increasing until
in 911 a large company of Vikings (French Normands), led by
Rollo, forced the West Frankish king Charles III (the Simple)
to give them the territory in the lower Seine Valley that
became known as Normandy.
This marked the dwindling era of the
Carolingian dynasty, which was superceded by the Capetians,
who ruled for over three centuries, from 987 until 1328.
In 1066, William, Duke of Normandy invaded England and was
crowned as the English king on Christmas Day, 1066. He made
himself the French king’s equal, when in actual fact
in French territory he was still subject to the crown.
England’s power increased when Henry, Count of Anjou
and Duke of Normandy married Eleanor of Aquitaine,
the newly-divorced former Queen of France. As heiress to the
Aquitaine, she brought Henry control over a considerable part
of the south-western French region until his possessions and
control greatly exceeded those of his feudal lord, Louis VII,
King of France.
When the last Capetian king, Charles IV died, the French throne
was claimed by Edward III of England. This began the Hundred
Years’ War in 1337.
