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Basse Normandie

History

The history of the Basse-Normandie region concerns that part of Normandy termed Basse-Normandie (or "Lower Normandy") that was created in 1957, when the traditional region of Normandy, with an integral history reaching back to the 10th century, was divided into Basse-Normandie and Haute-Normandie ("Upper Normandy").

During the Roman era, the region was divided into several different city-states. That of Vieux-la-Romaine was excavated in the seventeenth century, revealing numerous structures and vestiges bearing testimony to the prosperity of the Caen region.

The region was conquered by the Franks in the 5th century.

In the 9th century, the Norman conquests devastated the region.

In 1066, William the Bastard conquered England, becoming William the Conqueror, or William I of England.

The victory of Tinchebray in 1106 gave Normandy to the Plantagenets. Nearly one hundred years later, in 1204, Philippe Auguste confiscated the region. Then, during the Hundred Years' War, the region was annexed by England.

The French regained the region from 1436 to 1450. By 1468, it was entirely under the control of the French monarchy.

The main thrust of Operation Overlord during World War II was focused on Basse-Normandie.

Culture

Normandy has its own regional language, the Norman language. This language is still in use today in Basse-Normandie, with the dialects of the Cotentin more in evidence than others. Lower Normandy has also been the home of many well-known French authors, including Guy de Maupassant, Marcel Proust, Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly, and Gustave Flaubert. Notable Norman language authors connected especially with Lower Normandy include Alfred Rossel, Louis Beuve, and Côtis-Capel.

In terms of music, composer Erik Satie also hailed from this region. And in the visual arts, Jean-François Millet was a native of La Hague.

Cities

* Alençon
* Argentan
* Caen
* Cherbourg-Octeville
* Équeurdreville-Hainneville
* Flers
* Hérouville-Saint-Clair
* Lisieux
* Saint-Lô
* Tourlaville

Source: Wiki under GNU

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