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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Xanthe did ask :</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> <FONT face="Times New Roman"
size=3>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?</FONT></FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> 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.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
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.</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>
Brian :o)</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>