Normandy, a region of northern France, has a long history often closely entwined with that of England, though we have managed to remain determindly seperate. Modern Normandy is largely agricultural and owes its prosperity to horse breeding, tourism and the production of cider, calvados (apple brandy) and flax.Travelling through the region today and the wealth of Medieval castles and chateaux, cathedals, churches and abbeys provides a glimpse of a time when Normandy was considered the most powerful duchie in France.
Given the rise of technology that has shaped the modern world, it is perhaps not so easy to grasp how Normandy could cite religion as playing a major part in its rise to power. It’s hardly the Vatican City with not a Borgia is sight, but it is one of Frances most glazed areas and the richest in terms of religious art.