Peasants' revolt of 996 in Normandy

The Norman peasants' revolt in 996 was a revolt^[1] against the Norman nobility. The revolt was ultimately defeated by the nobles under the early reign of Richard II, Duke of Normandy. His uncle Rodulf of Ivry was the regent of Normandy during the revolt.^[2][3]

The Norman peasants' revolt
Date	996
Location	Normandy
Caused by	Peasants wanted concessions on various economic grievances.
Methods	Complaints sent to central assembly
Status	Defeated

The revolt was started in 996 after the peasants had met in local assemblies (conventicula) throughout Normandy. The revolt was coordinated by a central assembly (conventus) that was formed by members of the local assemblies. Each conventicula sent two representatives to the central assembly.^[4]

The peasants wanted concessions on various economic grievances.^[1] One reason in particular included local barons harassing the peasants with vexatious services. The main reason, however, was the removal of hunting rights for the lower classes; peasants were no longer able to hunt even a single deer.^[5]: 51 Medieval sources claim that the revolt was caused by demands of free hunting and fishing rights.^[6]

The revolt probably only affected the Seine valley rather than the whole of Normandy. Dating of the revolt in 996 has also been disputed.^[1]

The revolt may have been a reaction to the rise of serfdom in Normandy.^[7][6] It has been suggested that the revolt resulted in abolishing serfdom in Normandy.^{[citation needed]} Lack of serfdom in Normandy has also been linked to the depopulation of coastal France brought by extensive warfare during the time period. However, evidence for existence and extent of serfdom has been difficult to obtain.^[8]

Peasant leaders who brought complaints to the regent Rodulf of Ivry had their hands and feet cut off, after they were captured.^[2][3] Others were blinded, impaled, or burnt alive, and small land owners were made to forfeit their land.^[5]: 51

Despite the revolt at the start of his reign, the rest of the Richard II's rule was very peaceful. In May 1023 he did not implement the Peace of God, due to the calm situation in his lands.^[3] However, Norman culture retained more of its Frankish and Gallo-Roman characteristics and eventually lost its Scandinavian influences.^[2][3]

See also

• List of peasant revolts
• Richard I of Normandy
• Roman de Rou that recounts the revolt

References

1. Gowers, Bernard (1 February 2013). "996 and all that: the Norman peasants' revolt reconsidered". Early Medieval Europe. 21 (1): 71–98. doi:10.1111/emed.12010. S2CID 161421440.
2. Jim Bradbury (2 August 2004). The Routledge Companion to Medieval Warfare. Routledge. pp. 77–78, 144. ISBN 978-1-134-59847-2.
3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-08-10. Retrieved 2016-06-21.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. William H. TeBrake (1 September 1993). A Plague of Insurrection: Popular Politics and Peasant Revolt in Flanders, 1323-1328. University of Pennsylvania Press. p. 60. ISBN 978-0-8122-1526-7.
5. Duncan, Jonathan (1839). The Dukes of Normandy from the time of King Rollo to the expulsion of King John. Joseph Rickerby and Harvey & Darton.
6. Peasant Societyuis.edu Archived 2016-08-07 at the Wayback Machine
7. Rosamond Faith (1 April 1999). The English Peasantry and the Growth of Lordship. A&C Black. pp. 252–253. ISBN 978-0-7185-0204-1.
8. Elizabeth Van Houts (15 December 2000). The Normans in Europe. Manchester University Press. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-0-7190-4751-0.

Further reading

• Le pays normand. Paysages et peuplement (IXe-XIIIe siècles) (in French) (The Norman region. Landscapes and Population [9th–13th centuries])
• Per Ullidtz (18 June 2014). 1016 The Danish Conquest of England. Books on Demand. pp. 277–. ISBN 978-87-7145-927-2.