It could be said that the Viking raids did not cease when the Scandinavians stopped taking part in them. If one recognizes that the Normans were the descendants of the Vikings, in military characteristics and objectives as well as in genealogy, then one might recognize their military efforts against England, France, Sicily, and southern Italy as continuing Viking raids. It seems quite clear that when Charles the Simple gave the territory surrounding the lower Seine to the Viking chieftain Rollo in 911, without any pretense that he or his followers would become “French”. Soon the dukes of Normandy, as Rollo and his descendants became known, paid homage to the French king and fought with him in his battles, obligated it seems by a code similar to that of the king's other nobles. However, the new religious, linguistic and family ties never seemed to erase their military instincts nor their desire for further conquests and invasions. This situation came to a head in the second half of the 11th century, when two successful Norman invasions occurred. The first was led by a Norman adventurer, Robert Guiscard, and his brothers against Sicily and southern Italy; the second was carried out by the Norman Duke William, known at the time as “the Bastard” for his illegitimate birth and then as “the Conqueror” for having subjugated England. The Normans first glimpsed Sicily and southern Italy in 1006 when a group of Norman pilgrims returning from the Holy Land enlisted as mercenaries in the wars fought there first between the Italians and the Byzantines and then against the Muslim Arabs, who sought to take advantage of those wars to conquer those regions. In doing so, they became quite wealthy, and when the news of this...... middle of the newspaper...... England. At the Battle of Stamford Bridge on 25 September 1066 Harold defeated the Norwegians; Harald Hardrada was killed in the fighting. However, King Harold was unable to celebrate this victory, as word quickly reached him that, while he was in the north, William and the Normans had landed in the south. The evidence shows that William anticipated a long campaign, but this would not have been necessary. Harold, thrilled with the recent victory, chose instead to immediately meet the Norman invaders in battle. Combat between two armies took place on Senlac Hill, north of Hastings, on 14 October 1066. After what one historian described as an "unusual battle" due to its uncommon duration, William's forces prevailed, killing Harold , his brothers and many others. their soldiers. Although resistance was still limited, with this victory William conquered England.