Rollo RÖGNVALDSSON of Normandy ²⁰⁹⁴

   Another name for Rollo was Rollon LE VAGABOND, LE MARCHEUR Hilmir Halfdan "Rollo" Ragnarsson Af Svíþjóð Og Danmork 0846–0933.²⁰⁹⁶

   FamilySearch ID: LZDH-NFR
Find A Grave ID: 8195891

  General Notes:

Viking Leader. "The Dane" baptized Robert I. BAsed on his tomb he would have been born between 844 and 853. Rollo was a Norse Viking and first ruler of the French territory that became Normandy. His name Rollo is the Latin translation of this Norse or Scandanavian name of Hrofl. He is often confused with Granger Hrofl, or Hfolf the Walker, son of Rognavald Eystiensson., an Earl in Norway. Rollo had two wives, the first being Gisela, the daughter of the King of France, Charles the Simple and an unknown mother. His second wife was Poppa, (there is no concensus on parents), captured during a raid and kept in Viking tradition. They had the following children: William Longspee "Longsword," and Gerloc (aka Adèle de Normandie), the wife of William III, Duke of Aquitaine. His parentage is questioned, although famous tales and historical documents speak of a Danish king with two sons, Gurim and Rollo, who were killed and banished respectively. The debate is a sensitive matter that continues today. His life after leaving his homeland, however, is well documented. Rollo was amoung the Vikings who besieged Paris in 885 under a Dane named Sigfied. When Sigfried returned home, Rollo remained and with his Norsemen invaded northern France and Chartres. The Bishop of Chartres went for help and only the Carolingian King, Robert of Nuestria and Richard Autun of Burgundy declared, their forces pushed back the Vikings at the Battle of Chartres on the 20th of July, 911. It soon became apparent Rollo was not present for bounty as much as he desired land and permanent residence. The King of France, Charles the Simple, who neglected to send support at Chartres, decided making a treaty would be most beneficial for all. Attacks from other Vikings in the same area were common, with the French being at a disadvantage in their style of warfare. Granting that coastline to Rollo was a perfect solution. Who better to defeat the invading Vikings than a Viking with land to protect? In exchange for peace, the Treaty of Saint Clair-sur-Epte stipulated Rollo would have lands above the Seine, centered around Rouen in Normandy, marry one of the illegitimate daughter of Charles, Gisela, convert to Christianity, thus the name Robert, and pledge his allegiance to Charles. Rollo may have defended the coastline as promised, but he continued to assert his attacks on neighboring Flanders. The legend has it that Rollo was required to kiss the foot of the French King. Rollo found this take beneath him, and assigned a warrior to take his place. The warrior was of equal mind, and instead of lowering himself for this kiss, brought the King's foot up so high the King fell over. King Charles was deposed by Robert I in 922, leading Rollo to consider his pledges to a French king null and void. His army, now known as Normans, continued to conquer surrounding areas. While his exact death is not known, Rollo passed his holdings to his son around 927, and was dead by 933. Rollo's descendants include William the Conqueror, all current-day European rulers, as well as the present-day English royalty.

LifeSketch
Upon the attack of Paris, Name
Hilmir Halfdan "Rollo" Ragnarsson Af Svíþjóð Og Danmork remained and was granted lands with title. He converted to Christianity in 911, married the Princess Gisela and was baptized as Robert De Normandy and began the Norman line of Kings, known also as Bruce and Stewart. In 927 passed his lands and title to his son and died in 933.

Rollo, baptized as Robert, was a Norse Viking and first ruler of the French territory that became Normandy. He was the son of Konungr Ragnar "Lodhbrok" Sigardsson Af Svíþjóð Og Danmork

Dudo of St. Quentin reported that at the time of his peace treaty with the French king, Rollo married Gisela, daughter of Charles the Simple. No other source reports this marriage or gives Charles a daughter named Gisela. Rollo's children were born to Poppa, reported to have been daughter of Count Berenger de Bayeux, captured during a raid and kept in Viking tradition. By her he had William Longespee ("Longsword,") and Gerloc, renamed Adela when she became wife of William III, Duke of Aquitaine.

Rollo's life after leaving his homeland is well documented. He was among the Vikings who besieged Paris in 885. When Sigfried returned home, Rollo remained, and with his Norsemen invaded northern France and Chartres. The Bishop of Chartres went for help and only the Carolingian King Robert of Nuestria and Richard of Burgundy responded. Their forces pushed back the Vikings at the Battle of Chartres on the 20th of July, 911. It soon became apparent Rollo was not present for bounty as much as he desired land and permanent residence. The King of France, Charles the Simple, who neglected to send support at Chartres, decided that making a treaty would be most beneficial for all. Attacks from other Vikings in the same area were common, with the French being at a disadvantage in their style of warfare.

Granting the coastline to Rollo was a perfect solution. Who better to defeat the invading Vikings than a Viking with land to protect? In exchange for peace, the Treaty of Saint Clair-sur-Epte stipulated that Rollo would have lands above the Seine, centered around Rouen in Normandy; marry one of the illegitimate daughters of Charles, Gisela; convert to Christianity, thus the name Robert; and pledge his allegiance to King Charles.

Rollo may have defended the coastline as promised, but he continued to launch his attacks on neighboring Flanders. The legend has it that Rollo was required to kiss the foot of the French King. Rollo found this beneath him, and assigned a warrior to take his place. The warrior was of equal mind, and instead of lowering himself for this kiss, brought the King's foot up so high that the King fell over.

King Charles was deposed by Robert I in 922, leading Rollo to consider his pledges to a French king null and void. His army, now known as Normans, continued to conqueror surrounding areas. While his exact death date is not known, Rollo passed his holdings to his son around 927, and was dead by 933.

Partially from bio by Anne Shurtleff Stevens -- Find a Grave: Rollo Ragnvaldsson

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Title of Nobility: Count of Rouen,,.

Rollo married Lady Poppa DE BAYEAUX. (Lady Poppa DE BAYEAUX was born about 872 in Bayeux, Calvados, Normandy, France,²⁰⁹⁴ died on 11 August 930 in Bayeux, Calvados, Normandy, France ²⁰⁹⁴ and was buried in August 930 in Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Normandy, France ²⁰⁹⁴.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

1. Common Law Marriage: in 890,. ²⁰⁹⁶

Rollo next married Gisèle DE FRANCE, daughter of Charles III "le Simple" Roi de France occidentale et Lotharingia. and Frederuna VON RINGELHEIM Queen of West Francia, in 911.²⁰⁹⁶ (Gisèle DE FRANCE was born about 890 in , , , France ²⁰⁹⁶ and died about 917 ²⁰⁹⁶.)