Judith of Évreux (1040-1076)

A History of the Norman Conquest in Italy

In the 11th century, the Normans left their homeland to venture far beyond Northern Europe. Knights, princes, and adventurers made their mark in the Mediterranean, particularly in Southern Italy and Sicily. Among them, Judith of Évreux, a noble Norman woman, embodies the essential role of women in this epic of conquests and alliances.

As the wife of Roger de Hauteville, the future Count of Sicily, Judith of Évreux accompanies the foundation of a new Norman power at the heart of the Mediterranean. Through her marriage, she participates in the construction of a network of political and dynastic alliances, essential for the success of the conquest and the stabilization of the newly acquired territories.

Based on the documentary archives of the heritage library of Évreux dedicated to the Normans in Sicily, this exhibition retraces the conquest of the island, the prominent figures of the Hauteville family, and the unique fate of Judith of Évreux. Thematic panels present the map of the Norman conquest of Sicily, the genealogy of the Hautevilles, as well as the role of feudalism and marriage alliances in the assertion of Norman power.

Excerpts from the chronicle of Geoffroi Malaterra, adapted into accessible narratives, punctuate the journey and provide an almost narrated reading of this Mediterranean adventure, particularly aimed at younger audiences.

The scenography highlights the documents at the center of the room, while a fabric printed from a representation of Roger de Hauteville during the conquest of Sicily, inspired by a work preserved in the Louvre Museum, adorns the space and immerses the visitor in the heart of this Norman epic.

Through the journey of Judith of Évreux, the exhibition invites visitors to rediscover a Normandy open to the world, a major player in the political and cultural exchanges of the Middle Ages.

Free
All audiences