Norman Question

[Mike_Oettle]

Canuck in NI wrote: “And those ridiculous helmets, don't get me started.”

Well, as everybody ought to know, the ridiculous helmets with the enormous horns were a Wagnerian invention, not authentically Viking at all (whether Norse, Danish or Swedish).
And I found it interesting that it was a Buchanan who provided a long list of “Norman” clans – perhaps to emphasise that the Buchanans were not of that origin?
My recollection is that the name Buchanan was taken from lands granted to a son of a High King of Ireland by the King of Scots.
An authoritative history I read last year of Scotland during the Dark Age contends that the Douglases and others in Galloway were part of a wave of migration from Ireland that was distinct from the one that originally settled in Argyll, so establishing the (smaller and separate) Kingdom of Scots.
There is more than adequate proof that the Bruce (de Brus) family originated in Flanders – the name refers to Bruges or Bruggen. As I mentioned previously, Bruces were employed by William of Normandy to build and maintain a castle in his duchy.
And Sinclair is a name that did not appear in Scotland until after the suppression of the Knights Templar. No connection with William the Bastard at all.
Regards,
Mike

[Lallans]

Canuck in NI wrote: “And those ridiculous helmets, don't get me started.”

Well, as everybody ought to know, the ridiculous helmets with the enormous horns were a Wagnerian invention, not authentically Viking at all (whether Norse, Danish or Swedish). [snip]
Regards,
Mike

Actually I was also thinking of the strip-of-iron-over-the-nose versions that were seen in a certain version of Robin Hood from the late '80s. That remark was in some part an inside throw-away to a relative of mine who went out and bought such a helm just because he thought they were cool-looking. He's a lurker here. I will say no more.

[Mike_Oettle]

Well, Canuck, I have not seen that particular version of Robin Hood, but William the Bastard’s army certainly did wear helmets with strips of iron over the nose.
The Bayeux Tapestry includes a reference to this with an incident that took place after a rumour had spread that William had been killed. Even though most of his face was visible under it, William had to take his helmet right off to prove that he was still alive.
Low recognition . . . something like the black and drab badges on US soldiers’ shoulder patches showing the unit coat of arms or other symbol.
Regards,
Mike