Rollo of Normandy

Rollo was the Frankish-Latin name taken by (probably) Hrolf Ganger (Hrolf the Walker, or Gånge Rolf). He has also been called "Rollo the Gangler" in some works, or occasionally "Robert".

Rollo (c.860 - c.932) was a Viking leader, probably (based on Icelandic sources) the son of Ragnvald, Earl of Moer[?]. With his followers (known as Normans, or northmen), Rollo invaded the area of northern France now known as Normandy.

Concluding the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte[?] (911) with the French king Charles the Simple, Rollo pledged feudal allegiance to the king, changed his name to the Frankish version, and converted to Christianity. In return he was granted the lower Seine area (today's upper Normandy) and the titular rulership of Normandy. There exists some argument among historians as to whether Rollo was a "duke" (dux) or whether his position was equivalent to that of a "count" under Charlemagne.

In 927 he passed the dukedom to his son, William Longsword[?].

He was a direct ancestor of king William I of England.

See also: Ålesund, Viking Age

References and external links

• Rosamond McKitterick, The Frankish Kingdom under the Carolingians, 751-987, (Longman) 1983