The Development of Norman Architecture: The Early Romanesque Foundations (10th–11th Century)

Norman architecture, a distinctive regional variant of Romanesque architecture, began to develop in Normandy in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. This architectural style was influenced by both Carolingian traditions and early Romanesque forms, eventually evolving into the grand, fortress-like structures that would later characterize Norman castles and cathedrals across Europe.

Early Romanesque Churches in Normandy

Two of the earliest examples of Norman Romanesque architecture include:

• Saint-Pierre at Jumièges (mid-10th century), one of the first fully Romanesque churches in the region.
• The Abbey Church of Bernay, on which construction began in 1017, reflecting early Romanesque structural and decorative elements.