Normandy originated from a grant of land to Rollo, a Viking leader, in the early tenth century. By the end of that century Normans were to be found in southern Italy, then in Britain and, at the end of the eleventh century, in the near East on the First Crusade. How are their successes best explained: as excellence in war, great leadership, or just good luck? This talk, featuring Professor Judith Green, looks at both causes and consequences of their rise to power and moves on to discuss how fresh approaches through archaeology and material culture are transforming the field.