[Ravensfort] Good period sources for wannabe Normans

[Alisstassia]

Greetings!

During our time in Italy we met a group called Normans of the Sun
http://www.storiaonline.org/normanni/index.html (sorry, it is only in
Italian.)  A re-enactment group focusing on the Normans in Southern Italy
(roughly 1016-1130- During the time of the Kingdom of Two Sicilis- Naples
and Sicily) They were part of a larger group called Milites de Bec
http://www.debec.org.uk/   Milites de Bec should be able to give you the
information you desire.

Another site that may be of use to you is run by a Baron in the Outlands:
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/j_lambert/norman.htm - This one has
many Norman Links.

Hope this is of use to you!  Good luck in your endevour!

~Alisstassia


Lady Alisstassia del Balzo
Minister of Arts and Sciences
Canton of Gates Edge

  -----Original Message-----
  From: ravensfort-bounces at ansteorra.org
[mailto:ravensfort-bounces at ansteorra.org]On Behalf Of Brian du Val
  Sent: Friday, February 27, 2004 9:48 PM
  To: The Barony of Ravensfort
  Subject: Re: [Ravensfort] Good period sources for wannabe Normans


  Xanthe did ask :
      Can anyone suggest sources for Norman culture and social customs?
Brion, is there any chance you'd be able to help? I know your persona is a
Templar but I remember you also saying you were a Norman. The time period is
around a few years after the conquest of England - around William the
Conqueror's death. I've got a friend who is trying to develop her persona
and needs some goood sources. To quote "most of the books I've got only talk
about how warlike the Normans were and how they kicked butt in battle and
then don't go beyond that." Any suggestions anyone?


      Well let me tell ya about the days of the Great Norman Occupation of
Northern Eroupe. As most may know the Normans came from France, Normandy to
be exact, but before they were Normans they were Northmans or Norsemans. Yea
their ancestors were vikings who settled in Northern France. Some of the
early clothing styles were like the vikings and even the ships that WIlliam
the Conquerer used were long ships with one sail.
      Now not too long after the establishment of Norman Rule in Briton or
England today the Saxons started wearing the same style of clothes as the
Normans and by the time of William's death it was "In" to be Norman. To be
born of a norman noble man was benificial and to be wed to a Norman Noble
was even better. Often Saxon Ladies of noble birth were wed to Norman lords
to increase land holdings and encourage growth of the fudel system that was
taking root at the time. Every good Norman Lord had land that was tended by
his Saxon peasants.  The clothing and archetecture of the time really shows
the norman influance and style. Soon came the reign of the Plantagenate era,
again French and Norman influance in Northern Eroupe.


                                                      I have a few books
that show some of the fashions. give her my e-mail addy and I will be glad
to share them on line.



Brian  :o)
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