Norman Conquest Encyclopedia

Vicomtes

In Normandy the duke exercised his power in local administrative matters through the vicomte, the local nobleman. This title was increasingly passed on by inheritance which weakened the personal loyalty associated with a title directly bestowed. As William the Bastard steadily increased his power and control, a new class of wealthy landowner grew with him. These vicomtes were both a potential danger to him as possible rivals for the duchy and of assistance to him to exert his control. In England, after the conquest of 1066, William did not exert his power by importing the foreign vicomte, but through the Anglo-Saxon officers, the shire reeve or sheriff.