| Name | Rolf "Robert" "Rollo the Dane" RAGNVALDSSON "1st Duke of Normandy" |
| Birth | abt 0865, Maer, NORWAY |
| Death | abt 0930, Rouen, FRANCE Age: 65 |
| Occupation | Royalty |
| Religion | Pagan |
| Father | 'Ragnvald I' "the Wise" EYSTEINSSON "Earl of More" (~0835-~0894) |
| Mother | Ragnhild "Hildr" HROLFSDOTTIR "Countess of More" (~0848-) |
| 1 | Poppa "of Normandy" DE VALOIS "Dutchess of Normandy" |
| Birth | abt 0872, Bayeux, FRANCE |
| Father | Berenger de SENLIS "Count of Bayeaux" (~0847-<0930) |
| Mother | de VALOIS "daughter of Pepin de Senlis" (~0845-) |
| Marriage | abt 0891 |
| Children | 'William I' "Longsword" (~0895-0943) |
| Adele "of Normandy" (~0897->0962) | |
| Robert | |
| Kathlin | |
| Gerletta |
Rollo was a Viking.
Also called ROLF, OR ROU, French ROLLON, Scandinavian rover who founded the duchy of Normandy.
Making himself independent of King Harald I of Norway, Rollo sailed off to raid Scotland, England, Flanders, and France on pirating expeditions and, about 911, established himself in an area along the Seine River. Charles III the Simple of France held off his siege of Paris, battled him near Chartres, and negotiated the treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, giving him the part of Neustria that came to be called Normandy; Rollo in return agreed to end his brigandage. He gave his son, William I Longsword, governance of the dukedom (927) before his death. Rollo was baptized in 912 but is said to have died a pagan.
Rolf became known as Robert or Rollo in Normandy. Earl Ragnvald had also three sons by concubines-Hallad, Einar, Hrollaug. All three were grown men when their brothers born in marriage were still children. Rolf became a great Viking and was so tall a man that the small Norwegian horses could not carry him, and wherever he went he must go on foot. That is where he got his nickname Rolf Ganger. He was noted for his strength and martial prowess. He plundered much in the East sea. King Harald had him declared an outlaw over all Norway. Rolf went afterwards over sea to the Hebrides and at last farther west to Valland where he plundered and subdued for himself a great earldom, which he peopled with Northmen, from which that land is called Normandy. From Rolf descended English Kings including William the Conqueror. Also are ascended the Earls of Normandy.
He settled at the mouth of the Seine. After fighting many battles, he made an agreement with King Charles the Simple. He received land in Normandy and became the 1st Duke of Normandy. he had to become a Christian, but at his death he ordered the sacrifice of 100 slaves (showing that he still held to his pagan beliefs) - [1]
[1] - http://www.whosyomama.com/gabroaddrick3/7/5946.htm
[2] - http://home.earthlink.net/~artdugan/Trowbridge%20Vikings.htm