The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of mostly Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock. Their identity emerged initially in the first half of the tenth century, and gradually evolved over succeeding centuries. The name "Normans" derives from Nortmanni (Northmen), after the Vikings who founded Normandy.

They played a major political, military, and cultural role in medieval Europe and even the Near East. They were famed for their martial spirit and Christian piety. They quickly adopted the Romance language of the land they settled in, their dialect becoming known as Norman, an important literary language. The Duchy of Normandy, which they formed by treaty with the French crown, was one of the great large fiefs of medieval France. The Normans are famed both for their culture, such as their unique Romanesque architecture, and their musical traditions, as well as for their military accomplishments and innovations. Norman adventurers established a kingdom in Sicily and southern Italy by conquest, and a Norman expedition on behalf of their duke led to the Norman Conquest of England. Norman influence spread from these new centres to the Crusader States in the Near East, to Scotland and Wales in Great Britain, and to Ireland.

In Russian historiography, the term "Norman" is often used for the Varangians, as for example in the term "Normanist theory". In French historiography too, the term is often applied to the various Viking groups that raided France in the ninth century before settling down to found Normandy.

See also:

• Society: History: By Time Period: Middle Ages: War and Weapons: Norman Conquests (22)

• Milites deBec
  debec.org.uk
  A Canterbury, England-based group re-enacting Norman life in the 11th century. Description of group, photographs of equipment, biographies and photographs of members' 11th century personas, current events schedule, contact information.
• Conroi du Burm
  homepages.tesco.net
  With Nottingham, University of Nottingham and Cardiff branches, this group re-enacts a group of Anglo-Norman knights in the time of King John. Events list, description of equipment, chronology of period re-enacted, photographs of past events, contact information.