Today roads across Cotentin’s marshes are finely mapped and sturdy, when William Duke of Normandy (future Conqueror of England) was 19, it was a very different story. If he had not known the marshes so well, how different all our histories would be. The child Duke, protected at all costs It is surprising
Tag: William Duke of Normandy
The Footballers and forgotten château de Tancarville – a story of heritage in danger
An impossible match.... First published February 3, 2018 High on the cliffs above the River Seine in Normandy is an imposing old château . Here history stretches back to the 11th century and the first Dukes of Normandy. Tancarville was home to Raoul I Fitzgerald, trusted friend of Robert, first Duke of Normandy. Raoul would
When Harold met William in 1064; a tale of quicksand and cunning
There is a stained glass window in the Église Notre-Dame at Pontorson that depicts an odd moment in Normandy history that took place just a couple of years before William invaded England. It is the story of Harold Godwinson’s unexpected visit to Normandy in 1064. Harold the hostage No one is entirely