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Rollo: the story on HearLore | HearLore
— Ch. 1 · Origins And Historiography —
Rollo.
~5 min read · Ch. 1 of 6
Rollo died in 933, and his tomb states he was in his eighties at that time. This detail places his birth somewhere in the mid-9th century, though no calendar date exists for that event. Medieval chroniclers offer conflicting accounts of where this Viking leader came from. Dudo of Saint-Quentin claimed Rollo hailed from Dacia, a region near the Black Sea, before moving to Scandza. Modern historians recognize Daco as Denmark, creating a false etymology between Daci and Dani. Other sources point toward Norway instead. Goffredo Malaterra wrote that Rollo sailed boldly from Norway with his fleet to the Christian coast. William of Malmesbury stated that Rollo was born of noble lineage among the Norwegians. Snorri Sturluson identified Rollo with Hrólfr the Walker from the Heimskringla sagas written three centuries later. These sagas claim Hrólfr came from Møre in western Norway. The name Rollo itself may be a Latinisation of the Old Norse name Hrólfr or perhaps Hrollaugr. Benoît de Sainte-More wrote in the mid-12th-century Chronique des ducs de Normandie that Rollo had been born in a town named Fasge. Scholars have interpreted Fasge as Faxe in Sjælland, Denmark, or Fauske in Sykkylven, Norway. No surviving source explicitly confirms any single origin story.
Siege And Settlement
The earliest well-attested historical event associated with Rollo is his part in leading the Vikings who besieged Paris during 885, 886. Odo of France fended off this attack with his forces. In 911, Robert I of France defeated another band of Viking warriors in Chartres with his well-trained horsemen. This victory paved the way for Rollo's baptism and settlement in Normandy. Charles the Simple agreed to the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, which granted Rollo lands between the river Epte and the sea. Rollo pledged to end his brigandage and swear allegiance to Charles. He also promised to defend the Seine estuary from other Viking raiders. Dudo narrates a humorous story about Rollo's pledge of fealty to Charles III. The attendant bishops urged Rollo to kiss the king's foot to prove his allegiance. Rollo refused, saying he would never bow his knees at the knees of any man. Instead, he commanded one of his warriors to kiss the king's foot. The warrior complied by raising the king's foot to his mouth as the king was standing. This action caused the king to topple backward much to the amusement of their entourage. On taking his oath of fealty, Rollo divided the lands between the rivers Epte and Risle among his chieftains. He settled in the de facto capital of Rouen.
Conversion And Lawmaking
In 911, Robert I of France again defeated another band of Viking warriors in Chartres with his well-trained horsemen. This victory paved the way for Rollo's baptism and settlement in Normandy. As custom dictated, Rollo took the baptismal name Robert after his godfather, Robert I. Dudo describes a vision where Rollo stood on a high mountain on a Frankish dwelling. He washed himself in a stream and rid himself of diseases with which he was infected. Birds of all kinds gathered around the mountain and washed themselves in this stream. They found twigs to build nests together. This dream was interpreted to mean that the mountain was the church of Christianity. The diseases represented sins being washed away and his being born again in the baptism of Christianity. The birds represented different armies and common people having their sins washed away. Once he arrived and was granted land, Rollo dedicated different sections of land to God, saints, and various churches. Scholars have debated whether this conversion was only formal at first while paganism remained practiced. Voltaire wrote in his 1752 work Micromégas that peaceful Rollo was the only legislator of his time on the Christian continent. Recent scholars argue that Rollo's law-making caused the civilization of Normandy rather than his actual conversion to Christianity.
Dynastic Succession
A genetic investigation into the remains of Rollo's grandson Richard the Fearless began in 2011. Researchers sought to discern the origins of the historic Viking leader. On the 29th of February 2016, Norwegian researchers opened Richard the Good's tomb. They found a lower jaw with eight teeth inside it. However, the skeletal remains in both graves turned out to significantly predate Rollo. Therefore, these bones are not related to him. This failure highlights the difficulty of identifying physical remains from this era. No surviving source explicitly confirms any single origin story for Rollo himself. The search continues among historians and scientists trying to connect DNA evidence to historical records.
Rollo is the subject of the 17th-century play Rollo Duke of Normandy, also known as The Bloody Brother. John Fletcher, Philip Massinger, Ben Jonson, and George Chapman wrote this work together. The similarities to Rollo are slim, as the play draws inspiration from Herodian's account of the rivalry between Emperor Severus's sons. Geta and Antonine were reimagined as Otto and Rollo in this setting. Initially appointed as co-rulers
Modern Genetic Research
of the kingdom, Rollo seizes sole power by killing Otto. His reign ends when he is killed in retribution for his oppressive rule. A character broadly inspired by the historical Rollo appears in the History Channel television series Vikings. Clive Standen played Ragnar Lothbrok's brother named Rollo. This version includes many events predating the historical Rollo's birth. He stayed in West Francia to maintain the Viking hold on the Seine. The Franks swayed him to betray his brother and accept land and a marriage to princess Gisla. There are no mentions of betrayal to his brother in Dudo's account. Rollo also marries Charles the Simple's daughter in the Dudo
Cultural Depictions
account, which mirrors his marriage of princess Gisla. Rollo is also a character in the video game Assassin's Creed Valhalla.
When did Rollo die and how old was he at that time?
Rollo died in 933, and his tomb states he was in his eighties at that time. This detail places his birth somewhere in the mid-9th century though no calendar date exists for that event.
Where was Rollo born according to medieval chroniclers and modern historians?
Medieval chroniclers offer conflicting accounts of where this Viking leader came from with Dudo claiming Dacia while other sources point toward Norway. Scholars have interpreted Fasge as Faxe in Sjælland Denmark or Fauske in Sykkylven Norway but no surviving source explicitly confirms any single origin story.
What historical events involving Rollo occurred during 885 and 911?
The earliest well-attested historical event associated with Rollo is his part in leading the Vikings who besieged Paris during 885 and 886. In 911 Robert I of France defeated another band of Viking warriors in Chartres which paved the way for Rollo's baptism and settlement in Normandy.
Did genetic testing confirm the identity of Rollo's remains in 2016?
On the 29th of February 2016 Norwegian researchers opened Richard the Good's tomb and found a lower jaw with eight teeth inside it. However the skeletal remains in both graves turned out to significantly predate Rollo so these bones are not related to him.
Who wrote the play Rollo Duke of Normandy and what characters does it feature?
John Fletcher Philip Massinger Ben Jonson and George Chapman wrote this work together known as The Bloody Brother. Geta and Antonine were reimagined as Otto and Rollo in this setting where Rollo seizes sole power by killing Otto before his reign ends when he is killed in retribution for his oppressive rule.