The Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte (August 26, 911): The Foundation of Normandy

Following the Frankish victory at the Battle of Chartres in July 911, King Charles the Simple decides to negotiate with Rollo, the leader of the Norse settlers in northern France. The result is the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, concluded on August 26, 911, marking the official establishment of Norman rule in Francia.

Terms of the Treaty

The negotiations, led by Hervé, Archbishop of Reims, establish several key terms:

1. Territorial Grant to Rollo

   • Rollo and his warriors are granted all land between the River Epte and the sea, which corresponds to the northern part of modern Upper Normandy down to the Seine.
   • This land is granted "in freehold and good money", meaning Rollo holds it with full hereditary rights.

2. Grant of Brittany for "Livelihood"

   • The treaty also grants Brittany to Rollo, despite the fact that Brittany is an independent territory that Francia has failed to conquer.
   • However, at this time, Brittany is leaderless, as Alan I, King of Brittany, has died, and another group of Vikings occupies Brittany.
   • In practice, this grant allows Rollo to raid or subjugate Brittany without interference from Charles.

3. Rollo’s Oath of Loyalty and Military Service

   • In return for these lands, Rollo swears fealty to Charles, making him a vassal of the Frankish king.
   • He agrees to provide military assistance to defend Francia, particularly against other Viking incursions.

4. Rollo’s Baptism and Marriage

   • As a symbol of his commitment to the treaty, Rollo agrees to be baptized as a Christian.
   • He also marries Gisela, a presumed illegitimate daughter of Charles the Simple, further integrating him into the Frankish aristocracy.

The Birth of Normandy

• The new territory granted to Rollo becomes the basis of the future Duchy of Normandy, which takes its name from the Norsemen (Normans) who rule it.
• Though initially a fief, likely a county, Normandy will later be elevated to a duchy as its rulers consolidate power.
• The lack of surviving written records of its exact creation suggests that its status as a duchy evolves gradually over time.

Consequences of the Treaty

1. The End of Major Viking Raids in Northern Francia

   • Rollo and his men transition from raiders to rulers, effectively securing northern Francia from further Norse invasions.
   • With Viking forces now serving as defenders of the Seine, they block other Norse warbands from raiding further inland.

2. The Integration of the Norse into Frankish Society

   • Rollo’s baptism and marriage mark the beginning of Norman assimilation into Frankish culture, language, and governance.
   • The Norse settlers intermarry with the local Gallo-Roman and Frankish populations, creating a unique Norman identity that blends Viking warrior traditions with Frankish feudal customs.

3. Brittany’s Continued Turmoil

   • Though nominally granted to Rollo, Brittany remains contested and continues to be a region of instability.
   • The Bretons will eventually reclaim independence, resisting Frankish and Norman control.

4. Normandy as a Future Powerhouse

   • The Duchy of Normandy will grow into one of the most powerful feudal states in medieval France.
   • In 1066, Duke William II of Normandy (William the Conqueror) will invade England and establish Norman rule over England, reshaping European history.

Conclusion: A Turning Point in European History

The Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte (911) represents a strategic shift in Viking-Frankish relations, as the Norse stop raiding and start ruling. Rollo’s new Norman state ensures that northern Francia remains secure, while the Normans themselves emerge as one of the most dynamic forces in medieval Europe, influencing France, England, and beyond.

Rollo’s Conversion and the Establishment of the Duchy of Normandy (912)

Following the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte (911), Rollo and his Viking followers accept baptism and convert to Christianity in 912. This marks the beginning of Normandy as a Christian, yet still militaristic, Norse-Frankish state.

Rollo’s Baptism and the Title of Duke

• Rollo is baptized as Robert, taking a Christian name as part of his agreement with King Charles the Simple.
• He becomes the first Duke of Normandy, although contemporary sources often describe him as a Count rather than a Duke.
• Despite conversion, Rollo and his followers retain their Viking identity, maintaining their warrior traditions and expansionist mindset.

Norman Raiding Continues

• Even after their formal settlement in Normandy, Rollo’s forces continue Viking raids into neighboring Flanders.
• These raids reflect the Normans’ desire for expansion and wealth, rather than mere plunder, as they seek to consolidate their new territory.
• Northern France remains vulnerable, as Viking raiding culture persists alongside their gradual integration into Frankish society.

The Significance of Rollo’s Conversion

• Strengthens ties with the Frankish elite, as Christian rulers are more willing to recognize Rollo as a legitimate vassal.
• Encourages assimilation, as Norse settlers begin to adopt the French language, customs, and feudal governance.
• Establishes Normandy as a powerful feudal duchy, which will later play a crucial role in French and English history, particularly with the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.

Conclusion: The Birth of Christian Normandy

Though baptized and integrated into the Carolingian feudal system, Rollo and his followers remain true to their Viking origins, using their military prowess to expand Norman influence. The Duchy of Normandy thus begins as a hybrid Norse-Frankish state, blending Scandinavian warrior traditions with Christian feudal governance, shaping medieval European history for centuries.