Duchy of Normandy

The Duchy of Normandy, held by the various Dukes, stems from the Viking invasions of France in the 8th century. It was created in 911 out of concessions made by King Charles to Rollo of the Normans. The territories of the Cotentin Peninsula and the Channel Islands were added to the Duchy in 933. Originally encompassing the province of Neustria and a portion of Breton territory on the Northern Coast and interior of France, it is now divided between territory in mainland France and the Channel Islands, which are part of the British Isles.

In 1066, Duke William defeated Harold II of England at the Battle of Hastings and was subsequently crowned King of England. The Duchy was ruled as part of the Anglo-Norman realm until 1204, when Philip II of France conquered it. The Treaty of Paris (1259) settled the mainland territory on France; but the Channel Islands were retained by the English Crown (with the exception of Chausey). This is why the Queen of the United Kingdom is toasted on the islands as the Duke of Normandy (or Our Queen, the Duke) even though according to Salic law she is not.

fr:Duché de Normandie

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