Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/476

 4o6 OiUlines of European History England from the death of Alfred the Great to the Norman Conquest, 901-1066 France in the Middle Ages Formation of small independent states in France Normandy satisfactory knowledge. He forced the Danes to accept Christi- anity, and established, as the boundary between their settlements and his own kingdom of Wessex, a line running from London across the island to Chester. But more Danes kept coming, and the Danish invasions con- tinued for more than a century after Alfred's death (901). Sometimes they were bought off by a money payment called the Danegeld, which was levied on the people of England like any other tax. But finally a Danish king (Cnut) succeeded in making himself king of England in 1017. This Danish dynasty main- tained itself, however, for only a few years. Then a last weak Saxon king, Edward the Confessor, reigned for twenty years. Upon his death one of the greatest events in all English history occurred. The most powerful of the vassals of the king of France crossed the English Channel, conquered England, and made himself king. This was William, Duke of Normandy. We have seen how Charlemagne's empire broke up, and how the feudal lords became so powerful that it was difficult for the king to control them. The West Frankish kingdom, which we shall hereafter call France, was divided up among a great many dukes and counts, who built strong castles, gathered armies and fought against one another, and were the terror alike of priest, merchant, and laborer. (See above, sections 63 and 67.) In the tenth century certain great fiefs, like Normandy, Brit- tany, Flanders, and Burgundy, developed into little nations, each under its line of able rulers. Each had its own particular cus- toms and culture, some traces of which may still be noted by the traveler in France. These little feudal states were created by certain families of nobles who possessed exceptional energy or statesmanship. By conquest, purchase, or marriage they in- creased the number of their fiefs, and they insured their control over their vassals by promptly destroying the castles of those who refused to meet their obligations. Of these subnations none was more important or interesting than Normandy. The Northmen had been the scourge of those