Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

The Truce of God was an innovation made first in the 10th and early 11th centuries in southern and central France. In an attempt to achieve some kind of public order, it prohibited private warfare during certain times of the year or days of the week. An attempt to introduce it to Normandy was made by Richard of Saint-Vanne in 1041-42, but it failed. After William the Bastard, Duke of Normandy, had finally established his control and mastery of his duchy at the battle of Val-ès-Dunes with the assistance of his liege lord, Henry I of France, an ecclesiastical council was convened. It met outside Caen in October 1047 and formally proclaimed the application of the Truce to Normandy. Private warfare was banned from Wednesday evening until Monday morning and during the seasons of Advent, Lent, Easter and Pentecost. The penalties for breaching it were excommunication and the denial of the spiritual care of the Church. Exempt from it were the duke and the king! The peasants, weary of wars great and small, welcomed it.

sSee also: Caen; Henry I of France; Normandy; Val-ès-Dunes; William the Bastard

Related Reading:

• The Normans
  (Elite 9)