How to Rescue the Reputation of the Nasty Normans

Flipping the Script: How a French-Themed Festival Reimagined the Normans

Earlier this year, a small town near me hosted a weekend festival with a charming French theme. The event was a delightful blend of French cuisine, music, dancing, and family games. While the festival lacked a direct historical angle, it featured an unexpected highlight: a group of medieval re-enactors portraying Normans. These performers brought the past to life with a vivid display of Norman knights, priests, scribes, and craftspeople, each giving fascinating demonstrations throughout the day.

One of the most intriguing parts of the re-enactment was a 12th-century Norman law court—a novel and bold choice for a casual festival audience. The idea of legal proceedings from the Anglo-Norman period might not immediately strike one as entertaining Saturday afternoon fare for families. However, the re-enactors managed to captivate the crowd with this unconventional choice, demonstrating that even the most obscure aspects of history can be brought to life in engaging ways.

The key to their success was a wise, albeit anachronistic, decision to conduct the disputes entirely in English. While a sprinkle of legal Anglo-Norman might have lent authenticity, it would have likely alienated the audience. Interestingly, Anglo-Norman remains one of Britain’s official languages of government, still used in ceremonial contexts in Parliament. This historical tidbit served as a reminder of the significant Norman French influence on English legal vocabulary—terms like “judge,” “jury,” “court,” “evidence,” and “plea” all have their roots in this period.

As the re-enactment unfolded, the formalities of pleading and judgment quickly gave way to more crowd-pleasing spectacles, such as a lively trial by combat. The festival-goers were enthralled, eager to see justice served. In a twist that delighted the audience, the surly and corrupt overlords were outsmarted by the tenants they had wronged, ensuring that everyone went away satisfied. (Incidentally, “tenant” is another word derived from legal Norman French, further illustrating the Normans’ lasting linguistic legacy.)

What made this re-enactment truly stand out was its fresh take on the Normans. Traditionally cast as the villains of British history, the Normans are often seen as powerful and impressive but rarely sympathetic. The popular notion of the “Norman yoke” portrays them as an oppressive elite, imposing their will on unwilling subjects. While historians may highlight the Normans’ military tactics, sophisticated art, literature, or architectural contributions, the average Briton primarily knows them as conquerors—a role that doesn’t endear them to many.

In contrast, this festival re-enactment presented the Normans on their own terms, rather than as one-dimensional antagonists. It was refreshing to see Normans portrayed with nuance—sympathetic figures alongside the less admirable ones, much like in real life. This departure from the usual narrative, where a plucky Saxon challenges a domineering Norman baron, was unexpected and thought-provoking.

Such re-imaginings of historical narratives are vital in keeping history alive and relevant. Historians and heritage professionals constantly strive to offer new perspectives on well-trodden stories, bringing overlooked and marginalized voices into the spotlight. Yet, deviating too far from established interpretations can be challenging. Centuries-old legends of heroes and villains are deeply ingrained in public consciousness, and attempting to reverse these narratives often meets with resistance.

However, as this festival demonstrated, flipping the script can yield exciting and enlightening results. By extending sympathy to historical figures or periods typically cast in a negative light, we can foster a deeper understanding of the complexities of history. If a festival crowd in Britain can be brought to cheer for Norman barons, it suggests that our perceptions of history are far from fixed. There’s a rich tapestry of stories yet to be told—stories that challenge us to see the past not in black and white but in all its vibrant, multifaceted colors.

Conclusion

The French-themed festival’s re-enactment of a Norman law court was more than just entertainment; it was a powerful example of how historical narratives can be reshaped and reinterpreted. By portraying the Normans with a fresh perspective, the re-enactors offered a more nuanced view of a group often cast as the villains of British history. In doing so, they reminded us that history is not static—it is a living, evolving story that we can revisit and reimagine in ways that resonate with contemporary audiences

Eleanor Parker is Lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Brasenose College, Oxford and the author of Conquered: The Last Children of Anglo-Saxon England (Bloomsbury, 2022).