The medieval people from Normandy who conquered England in 1066 under William the Conqueror. Also refers to the architectural and cultural style they brought to England.
From Old French Normant, literally meaning 'North-men' - referring to the Viking (Norse) settlers who established themselves in northern France in the 9th-10th centuries. They adopted French culture while retaining their warrior traditions.
The Normans were cultural chameleons - Vikings who became French, then conquered England and became English aristocracy. They're why English has both 'cow' (Germanic) and 'beef' (French) - the conquered Anglo-Saxons raised the animals, while Norman nobles ate the meat.
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