De moribus et actis primorum Normanniae ducum

De moribus et actis primorum Normanniae ducum (Concerning the Customs and Deeds of the First Dukes of the Normans) is a historical work by Dudo of Saint-Quentin, written between 1015 and 1026. Dudo, a canon from Vermandois, was commissioned by Richard I, Duke of Normandy, to chronicle the history of the Norman dukes.1

The work is considered a primary source for the early history of the Norman state. However, Dudo, trained as a poet, wrote with an apologetic intent, leading to inaccuracies and legendary elements, making it less reliable for earlier events. Despite this, the chronicle is valuable for its record of local oral traditions, contemporary epic poems, and insights into the emerging Norman court. The Normans themselves were descendants of Vikings who settled in northern France, eventually forming the duchy of Normandy.12