a province of France, bounded on the north by the English channel; on the east by Picardy and the Isle of France; on the south by Perche and Maine, and one part of Bretagne; and on the west by the ocean. It is about 155 miles in length, 85 in breadth, and 600 in circumference. It is one of the most fertile, and brings in the largest revenue of the kingdom. It abounds in all things except wine, but they supply that defect by cyder and perry. There are vast meadows, fat pastures, and the sea yields plenty of fish. It contains iron, copper, and a great number of rivers and harbours. It carries on a great trade, is very populous, and comprehends a vast number of towns and villages. It is divided into the Upper and Lower; the Upper borders upon Picardy, and the Lower upon Bretagne. It contains seven dioceses or bishoprics, Rouen, Bayeux, Avranches, Evreux, Sées, Lisieux, and Coutances, in which they compute 4189 parishes, and 80 abbeys. The inhabitants are ingenious, and capable of understanding any arts and sciences, but they are chiefly fond of law. The Normans, a people of Denmark and Norway, having entered France under Rollo, Charles the Simple ceded this country to them in 912, which from that time was called Normandy, and contains about 8200 square miles. Its chief city is Rouen. Rollo was the first duke, and held it as a fief of the crown of France, and several of his successors after him, till William, the seventh duke, conquered England in 1066: from which time it became a province of England, till it was lost in the reign of King John, and reunited to the crown of France; but the English still keep the islands on the coasts of Normandy.

The principal rivers are the Seine, the Eure, the Aure, the Iton, the Dive, the Andelle, the Rille, the Touque, the Drôme, and the Orne: among the sea ports, the principal are those of Dieppe, Havre, Honfleur, Cherbourg, and Granville. Rouen is the principal city.