de Jumiège, addresses the reader in a letter dedicated to William the Conqueror, expressing his intention to chronicle the deeds of the Dukes of Normandy. He reflects on the importance of recording both virtuous actions and the legends surrounding the Normans, acknowledging the mix of fact and fable in his account. The opening chapters discuss the historical context of the decline of Frankish power, leading to the invasions by Viking leaders like Hastings, whose brutal conquests laid the groundwork for Norman rule. The writing sets a tone that intertwines religious faith, heroic deeds, and the legendary attributes of characters such as Rollon and Hastings, preparing the reader for detailed tales of valor and conquest that follow. (This is an automatically generated summary.)