Rollo (b. c. 860--d. c. 932)

Encyclopædia Orbis Latini

Latin: Rollo, Old Norse: Hrolfr (Rolf), French: Rollon (Rou)

Rollo was a Scandinavian rover who founded the duchy of Normandy.

Making himself independent of King Harald I of Norway, Rollo sailed off to raid Scotland, England, Flanders, and France on pirating expeditions and, about 911, established himself in an area along the Seine River. Charles III the Simple of France held off his siege of Paris, battled him near Chartres, and negotiated the treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte, giving him the part of Neustria that came to be called Normandy; Rollo in return agreed to end his brigandage. He gave his son, William I Longsword, governance of the dukedom (927) before his death. Rollo was baptized in 912 but is said to have died a pagan.