When Norman Met Frank

Frank Street meets Norman Avenue in Nuneaton, near the Mosque

When did Norman meet Frank?  A question that exercises my mind from time to time.

The Franks had a cautious relationship with the Normans, formally beginning in 911 when the Franks agreed that the Normans could establish a colony to the north of Paris, on the coast.  The Franks were cognisant of the diplomatic necessity to act carefully with these powerful Norsemen and their fearsome reputation.  After 155 years the Normans had expanded into Britain, but by then, they had imbibed a lot of French practices including their language.

So Frank came first, but was cautious when Norman arrived.  We know that Norman moved on south into London, but remained profoundly influenced by his experiences with Frank.