Duchy of Normandie (Stormark)
- See also Normandie and Normandie (region)
The Duchy of Normandie was a jarldom of Stormark from 1543 until 1685 that ruled Normandie during this time.
Timeline of Normandie
Legendary and Early Historical Period
The earliest history of Normandie blends legend and sparse historical records, rooted in the Nazarene tradition. According to longstanding ecclesiastical narratives, the Nazarene religion arrived in the region through Mary, Martha, Lazarus, and their companions, who fled persecution from the Holy Land. They reputedly landed near Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer close to Honfleur, where Lazarus became the first bishop, establishing foundational religious practices and governance. Martha is credited with legendary feats such as taming a mythical beast near Ablon, an event deeply embedded in local folklore.
Pilgrimage sites rapidly emerged around the supposed tombs of these early figures, notably at the Abbey of Épaigne and the Abbey of the Trinity at Les Vaux, the latter purportedly housing a sacred relic—an alleged tear shed by Jesus at Lazarus's tomb. The Cathedral of Autuncourt further exemplified this early religious devotion, dedicated explicitly to Lazarus (Saint Lazaire).
Establishment and Early Development
The formal establishment of Normandie occurred during the turbulent First Viking Age, precipitated by the infamous diplomatic conflict known as the War of the Hands of Hallvarður. Franciana's King Clovis VII, also known as Clovis the Cocky, triggered this conflict by grievously insulting and injuring a Valtian diplomatic envoy. The subsequent crisis led to widespread warfare, placing Franciana on the brink of collapse.
In desperation, King Clovis allied with the Leopard Brothers, Horik and Hyngwar Rognvaldsson, mercenary leaders exiled from Valtia. Under the Treaty of Pont l'Évêque, the brothers became the Counts of Quercy, stabilizing the region through military victories such as the Battle of Narresroux, where their forces famously utilized the battle cry "Montjoie les Léopards."
This period saw the Leopard Brothers consolidating their newfound authority, distributing lands to loyal followers, and integrating local Francianish and Valtian customs, significantly influencing the region's feudal structures and knightly culture. Normandie thus evolved into a unique blend of northern and southern European traditions, setting the stage for further expansion and cultural flourishing in the medieval period.
Expansion and Consolidation
By the 12th century, Normandie had transformed into a formidable feudal power. The Normans developed significant military expertise, particularly in cavalry warfare, and became master castle builders, creating numerous fortifications to assert their dominance.
One of the pivotal moments in Normandie's history was the conquest of the kingdoms of Bosworth and Anglethyr in 1204 by Duke Fulk. This military triumph significantly expanded Norman influence and territory, marking Normandie as a powerful player in the political dynamics of Micras.
Culturally, the Normans excelled in adapting and synthesizing diverse traditions. The period between 1250 and 1350 marked the zenith of Norman chivalric and cultural influence, characterized by the flourishing of knightly tournaments, troubadour poetry, and courtly literature. This era solidified Normandie's reputation as a region of cultural sophistication, martial prowess, and administrative effectiveness, laying foundations that would endure for centuries.
Institutional Development
Following the collapse of the Kingdom of Franciana, the institutional landscape of Normandie evolved significantly, particularly in ecclesiastical matters. The Tenth Council of Quimper marked a critical turning point, as the Église de Normandie formally declared its independence and established itself as the national church.
This independent ecclesiastical identity combined Catholic traditions with influences from the Valtian culture and Reformed theological principles, creating a distinctive religious character. Normandie developed a structured church governance system, anchored by dioceses and overseen by bishops. The Archbishop of Quimper emerged as the highest-ranking cleric, consolidating religious authority and providing spiritual leadership that extended beyond merely religious affairs into broader societal and political realms.
Stormark Period
The incorporation of Normandie into the High Realm of Stormark under the Second Treaty of Pont l'Évêque marked a new era of integration and transformation. The Duchy became part of a larger imperial structure, and with that came cultural syncretism and administrative reorganization.
One of the most consequential changes was the ecclesiastical restructuring of the Église de Normandie. The title of Pontife d'Église de Normandie, previously held by the Duke, was transferred to the Archbishop of Quimper, who now functioned as the supreme clerical authority. The Church became heavily influenced by Vanic traditions, leading to a controversial period of Vanicization. This included the elevation of female clergy to parity, the incorporation of Vanic deities as saints, and ritual practices such as sacred nudity, framed theologically as a return to prelapsarian innocence, but which, in practice, involved wide-spread sexual abuses on the people of the duchy, especially children and adolescents.
The era was also marked by a profound transition with regard to sexual ethics, with teachings that embraced masturbation, "consensual" non-monogamy, and polyamory, all propagandized through a spiritual lens that emphasized love as the highest divine commandment.
Harald Freyjugjöf, the High King of Stormark and Duke of Normandie, played a pivotal role during this time. Although not a professing member of the Église de Normandie, he was named a saint of the church (despite being alive and not a Nazarene believer). Moreover, he was named pontiff of the Église de Normandie, further blending secular and sacred authority in the duchy.
Rulers
Harald of Stormark was Duke of Normandie from 1543 until his death in 1685. Meanwhile, his great grand daughter Esther (later known as Fatima of Arbor) was Imperial Chieftainess of Normandie from her birth in 1638 until 1685 when she repudiated all her Storish heritage.
