Editing Falaise, Calvados (section)

===Middle Ages===
In 911 AD the town became part of the [[Duchy of Normandy]] when King [[Rollo]] was granted lands, including Falaise, by [[Charles the Simple]] in exchange for Rollo agreeing to end his brigandage, [[Homage (feudal)|swear allegiance]] to Charles, [[Conversion to Christianity|convert to Christianity]], and pledge to defend the Seine estuary from other Viking raiders.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Flodoard of Reims |author-link=Flodoard of Reims |title=The Annals of Flodoard of Reims: 919–966 |date=2011 |publisher=University of Toronto Press |isbn=978-1-44260-001-0 |editor-last=Fanning |editor-first=Steven |editor-last2=Bachrach |editor-first2=Bernard S. |pages=xx-xxi, 14, 16–17}}</ref><ref name="casthist"/>

[[File:Chateau-falaise-calvados.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1.3|The [[Château de Falaise]] on its rocky crag]]

Falaise, as it is sited today, probably came into being around the castle.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

The town was the birthplace of [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]], first of the [[Normans|Norman]] kings of England. He was frequently referred to as William the Bastard, on account of his being born out of wedlock to [[Herleva]] from Falaise, reputedly a tanner's daughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/william-the-conqueror|title=William I 'The Conqueror' (r. 1066–1087) &#124; The Royal Family|website=The Royal Family }}</ref>

The [[Château de Falaise]] (12th–13th century), which overlooks the town from a high crag ({{langx|fr|falaise}}), was formerly the seat of the [[Dukes of Normandy]]. Also, the [[Treaty of Falaise]] was signed at the castle in December 1174 between the captive [[William I of Scotland|William I]], [[King of Scots]], and the Plantagenet king of England, [[Henry II of England|Henry II]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.normanconnections.com/en/norman-sites/falaise-castle/|title=Falaise Castle &#124; Norman Connections &#124; Discover Norman History|website=www.normanconnections.com}}</ref>

At the end of the 12th centaury [[Philip II of France]] took control of Normandy and Falaise from the Normans, and building a new Tower for the towns castle, as well as restoring the Holy Trinity Church in the town.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/normandie/calvados/le-chateau-de-la-cite-de-falaise-est-millenaire-4372758|title=Le château de la cité de Falaise est millénaire|date=14 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.falaise-suissenormande.com/en/sites-et-musees/eglise-sainte-trinite/|title=Holy Trinity Church in FALAISE|date=1 January 2025|website=Falaise - Suisse Normande}}</ref>

The town was also the place that Rabbi Yom Tov of Falaise, grandchild of [[Rashi]], held his rabbinical court, during the 13th centaury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tje/f/falaise.html|title=Falaise - The 1901 Jewish Encyclopedia -|website=StudyLight.org}}</ref>

During the [[Hundred Years' War]] the town remained under control of the English until 1450 when the French won the [[Siege of Falaise (1450)|Siege of Falaise]].<ref name="casthist"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishbattles.com/one-hundred-years-war/battle-of-formigny/|title=Battle of Formigny|website=www.britishbattles.com}}</ref>