Starting Population     434                     % of Worldwide          1.4%                    

                                                Population                                      

Starting Income         7,184                   % of Worldwide          1.1%                    

                                                Income                                          

Starting GDP            52,109                  % of Worldwide GDP      0.8%                    

Starting Surplus        655                     % of Worldwide          2.0%                    

                                                Surplus                                         

15 fiefs in province                            Overlord:               de Valois (200)
         

Kingdom: France

Comments: Normandy was originally a part of Roman Gaul. It was incorporated into the Frankish Kingdom in the fifth century.

In 9th century it was frequently beset by raids of the Northmen, so much so that in 911 King Charles III of France conceded the area to one of the premier Norman Princes, Rollo, who promptly became the fist Duc de Normandy. Normans soon proved among the most efficient warriors and administrators in Christendom. In 1066 Rollo's descendant, William the Bastard, conquered England, establishing the present dynasty there. Upon his death, William partitioned his lands, so that Normandy went to a different son than did England, but in 1106 the English King Henry I regained control of the duchy.

In 1144, during the long war between Henry's nephew, Stephan of Blois, who held the throne of England, and Henry's daughter Matilda, who wanted it, the latter captured Normandy. As a result, when Matilda's son Henry II came to the throne in 1154, Normandy was again reunited with England. A half-century later, however, in 1204, Henry's son King John lost Normandy to Philip II of France. Although the English title was formally renounced in 1259, many in England regard this as an illegal act by the not-very-bright Henry III, and thus there remains an English claim. Under French rule Normandy has been granted its own Estates and even has a charter of liberties.

Ecclesiastical authority is vested in the Archbishop of Rouen. Normandy is by some reckoning the richest province of France, with busy sea and river ports, some banking and commerce, and some industry, including cloth making. It is fertile, producing many crops, and is noted for its livestock.