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Normandy, constituting’ a stretch of land some two
hundred miles long and facing the English Channel.
The province is rich in mediaeval song and legends
and has a charming nature. Most interesting of all
is perhaps the romantic atmosphere lingering over
the country and filled with historic and antiquarian
lore. More than once does the traveler stand amazed
among castle ruins and old towns, where the
otherwise swift time seems to have forgotten its pace and
lingers lazily in ancient quietude.
Because of limited space it is necessary to confine
our description to but a few centers of Normandy
and Norman conditions.
The most prominent city of ancient Normandy was
Rouen, now with a population of about 114,000.
Past and present meet here in a most picturesque
manner. Fifteenth century houses, Gothic squares
and narrow streets vie enviously with stately
renaissance structures, modern buildings and wide
boulevards.
Thirty-six churches formerly adorned the city. The
most prominent of these is the Notre Dame
Cathedral, a fine structure with late Gothic predominating.
At the end of one of the aisles stands the tomb of
Duke Rollo or Rolf, the first Norman duke, baptized
by Archbishop Franc on in 912. Duke Rollo died in
917.
The abbey of St. Ouen is another beautiful church,
founded hy Olothair I in 533. It is claimed to be the
oldest of all churches in Normandy. The priory is
of interest because King William the Conqueror died
here. Scarcely had he breathed his last before the
attending noblemen hurried home to barricade them-
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