Norman Helmet with Chain and Stand  SBH-NORMAN   $119  Out of Stock    Take 3/4 of a Viking Mix in 1/8 Frenchman Sprinkle in 1/8 Englishman Add a dash of land ownership Simmer in Europe for 100 years or so Salt to taste and enjoy. The Normans took everything that was great about Vikings and added what was great about France and England to the mix. The result was an evolved Viking; a fierce conqueror with advanced weapons, sound military strategy and a desire for lands and property. Normans have oft been represented as villains, as in many of the various Robin Hood movies, where Hood is battling against the repressive regime of Norman rulers. The Normans did indeed conquer England (in 1066, you'll recall) and became the ruling class in the country. William of Normandy (The Conqueror to you and me) did most of the heavy lifting for the Normans and he and his heirs ruled England after the famous Battle of Hastings. The Saxons weren't thrilled about this idea at first, which is where Robin Hood steps in (in some iterations of the legend, anyway). Richard the Lionhearted, who was only in England for about six months of his 10-year reign, was seen as the "good" Norman, while Prince John, his brother, was seen as the "bad" Norman. During the Robin Hood stories, John takes over for Richard while Richard is away on the Third Crusade. John, Who has a variety of historical nicknames (none good), rules terribly while Richard is gone, a preview to how he will rule in the future when Richard dies. Robin Hood battles against John's clumsy rule, hoping for the return of Richard. Well, bygones became bygones. As Monty Python expressed so elegantly, "..lets not go worrying about 'oo killed 'oo or 'oo kicked 'oo in the chest." The Normans in England and the Saxons eventually merged into one happy English family. Another group of Normans fought their way into France long before the English takeover, and were granted lands by French King Charles, the Simple. It was this horde that established Normandy. These Normans eventually wove themselves into the French fabric as they would into the English Fabric years later. And it was from this group of French Normans that Duke William (the Conqueror) led his famous assault on England in 1066.