Apologies Phillipe. Of course you are correct. The "Men from the North" did move down from the Scandinavian regions of what are today modern Norway and Denmark and occupy what came to be known as Normandy. What I should have said was that the major political and cultural influence shifted from the North of Europe to the lands to the South East of England. Stephen

Not that I want to correct you, Stephen, but I am surprised when you write of "the reduction of Scandinavian influence". Normandy was given to the Viking some 130 years before, hence its name: "North men". Thus, I am sure, still quite strong Scandinavian influence 130 years later with William

It also had important consequences for the rest of the British Isles, paving the way for further Norman conquests in Wales and Ireland, and the extensive penetration of the aristocracy of Scotland by Norman and other French-speaking families, with the accompanying spread of continental institutions and cultural influences.

By bringing England under the control of rulers originating in France, the Norman conquest linked the country more closely with continental Europe, lessened Scandinavian influence, and also set the stage for a rivalry with France that would continue intermittently for many centuries.

The Norman conquest was a pivotal event in English history. It largely removed the native ruling class, replacing it with a foreign, French-speaking monarchy, aristocracy, and clerical hierarchy. This, in turn, brought about a transformation of the English language and the culture of England in a new era often referred to as Norman England.