The Normans

The Normans remain an amazing political phenomenon. They emerged early in the 10th century and disappeared off the map by the mid–13th century. But in this time they conquered England, southern Italy, and Sicily, and established outposts in north Africa and the Levant. Trevor Rowley looks at their legacy—feudalism, castles, and churches—and examines why such an energetic people disappeared so quickly off the political stage.