The+Normans

Who were the Normans?

The Normans were a people whose origins were in Scandinavia, mainly Denmark, the name is adapted from the name "Northmen" or "Norsemen". What they believed in?

As Christians, Normans feared that when they died they would be punished for stealing land and for other crimes they had committed. To help protect themselves the Normans used some of the wealth they obtained from their raids to build churches and monasteries. Norman leaders also went on pilgrimages to the Holy Lands. Famous Invasions:

The Norman Invasion of England in 1066 is one of the most important events in English History. Many of the changes that occurred as a result of this invasion are still affecting the way that we live today.

How did the Normans change the way we live?

Many Irish families came to work for Norman lords. They learned how to grow many new crops. They divided the land into three long strips or fields and learned different ways of tilling the soil. Every year a different crop was grown in each field and one field was left fallow (idle). In this way the soil regained its goodness.

The Normans were great builders. Norman lords lived in strong stone castles. Many of these castles can still be seen in Ireland today. Some of the craftsmen and other people who worked for the lord lived near the castle. People often came to the castle to sell goods and markets and fairs often took place near Norman castles. Villages and towns began to grow near Norman castles.