Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Rollo

Grave of Rollo of Normandy, duke of Normandy, at the cathedral of Rouen, Seine-Maritime. Photo by Urban on Wikimedia

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Rollo

Rollo was born in the mid-9th century. His place of birth is almost definitely located in the region of Scandinavia. However, it is uncertain whether he is Danish or Norwegian.

Rollo was a Viking who became the first ruler of Normandy, a region in Northern France. He emerged as the outstanding warrior among the Norsemen.

The king of West Francia, Charles the Simple, granted the Norsemen lands between the mouth of the Seine and the city of Rouen. He granted them in exchange for Rollo agreeing to end his brigandage. This was during the Siege of Chatreso in 911.

1. It is Uncertain whether He was Danish or Norwegian

Very little information is known about the origins of Rollo. It is uncertain whether he was Danish or Norwegian.

Some historians theorize that he was Danish and others Norwegian. In part, this disparity resulted from the indifferent and interchangeable usage in Europe of Vikings, Northmen, swedes, Danes, Norwegians and Danes.

 Rollo’s background in Norwegian was first Claimed by Goffredo Malaterra. Malaterra was an 11th-century Benedictine monk and historian.

Goffredo Malaterra wrote; “Rollo sailed boldly from Norway with his fleet to the Christian coast.” Likewise, the 12th-century English historian William of Malmesbury stated that Rollo was “born of noble lineage among the Norwegians”.

Additionally, a chronicler who was named Benoit wrote in the mid-12th century claiming that Rollo was born in Fasge. This information has variously been interpreted as Faxe in Sykkulven Norway. However, Benoît says elsewhere in the Chronique that Rollo is Danish.

2. Rollo was thought to be named Hrolf Ganger

Records are written in the 13th century, the Heimskringla, states that Hrolf The Ganger went to Normandy and ruled it. Hrolf is an old Norse version of the German Rolf or the English Ralph. Rollo is either a nickname or a translation of Hrolf.

 Rollo came to Frankia, they took his nickname and gave it a French twist, calling him Rollon. Rollo has been given many names, which also leads to difficulties in historical accuracy. It is also sometimes suggested that Rollo may be a Latinised version of another Norse name, Hrollaugr.

Additionally, The 10th-century French historian Dudo in his Historia Normannorum records that Rollo took the baptismal name, Robert. A variant spelling, Rou, is used in the 12th-century Norman French verse chronicle Roman de Rou. It was compiled by Wace and commissioned by King Henry II of England, a descendant of Rollo.

3. Rollo was a Viking leader

As a Viking leader became the first ruler of Normandy in the early 10th century. Rollo’s reputation as an able Viking leader grew with time.

His military prowess forced the Frankish king, Charles the Simple, to grant the Norsemen lands between the mouth of the Seine and the city of Rouen. That is how the Duchy of Normandy came into being.

4. He made Himself Independent of the Norwegian Ruler

Rollo started to operate independently of Norwegian King Harald Fairhair. He proceeded to raid areas around Ireland, Scotland, England Flanders, and France on pirating expeditions.

Early in the 10th century, Rollo’s Danish army attacked France. He established himself in an area along the Seine River.

5. Rollo Sighed a Treaty with King Charles III

The coastline of Normandy was repeatedly subjected to Viking raids from the 8th century. Eventually, settlements began to pop up, and raids began to extend further into the heart of Frankia, or modern-day France.

However, King Charles III brokered a treaty with Rollo. The king offered to cede land to the Vikings and give Rollo rulership of it.

Thus, many Scandinavians arrived and settled in their new lands. They adopted the Frankia customs and language. They were established as the Normans.

6. His Descendants Continued to Rule Normandy for the Next Several Generations

When Rollo controlled Bayeux by Force, He married the daughter of Berenger, Poppa. Their children and grandchildren were born into the aristocracy.

Rollo and Poppa’s descendants continued to rule Normandy for the next several generations. In 1066, William the Conqueror led the Norman invasion into England and became the new King of England.

William the Conqueror l was a direct descendant of Rollo and Poppa. This changed the English language, culture, and destiny forever. William, and therefore Rollo, is said to be the direct ancestor of all modern European monarchs.

7. Rollo was Nicknamed the Walker

Snorri Sturluson identified Rollo with Hrólf the Walker from the 13th-century Icelandic sagas, Heimskringla and Orkneyinga Saga. Hrólf the Walker was so named because he “was so big that no horse could carry him.”

According to these stories, Rollo was 140 kilos (308 pounds) in weight and 2 meters (6 feet and 5 inches) tall. However, these claims were made three centuries after the history commissioned by Rollo’s grandson.

8. He Converted to Christianity Religion

Rollo accepted to be baptized into the Christian religion. This was one of the conditions of his contract with King Charles III. Rollo and his army were required to convert and eventually adopted many of Frankia’s customs.

However, it has always been uncertain whether Rollo truly believed in Christianity. Some sources outlined that he returned to paganism before his death.

9. Visitors can visit the Tomb of the First Ruler of Normandy

Rollo’s tomb is kept in the Cathedral of Rouen in Normandy, France. Rouen is the city that Rollo helped to build when the lands of Normandy were first ceded to him and his Vikings. Also kept at the Cathedral of Rouen is the mummified heart of Richard the Lionheart, King of England and descendant of Rollo.

10. His Character was Depicted in Several Movies

Rollo was the subject of the 17th-century play, Rollo Duke of Normandy. It was written by John Fletcher, Philip Massinger, Ben Jonson, and George Chapman.

Additionally, in the Vikings Movie Series his historical character. However, the Series also includes many events from before the real Rollo was born. Furthermore, Rollo’s historical character was depicted in the video game Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.