The First Soulles

Around the time of the 9th century (800s), a group of saxons referred to as 'old saxons' had settled in the Cotentin Pennisula in Normandy. The proximity between the Cotentin Peninsula of France and England allowed for trade, alliances and migrations.

Around the same time in the 9th and 10th centuries, the Cotentin Penonsula was raided by Vikings. In 911, their leader, Rollo, was granted the land by the King of France, allowing him to establish the Norman dynasty. In exchange for Rollo's loyalty to the King of France, he would contribute to the defence against other Viking incursions.

Between 989 and 996 an area was known as Sola, or Soulles came to fruition.

The area 'Soulles' was named after the word 'sol', derived form 'sola', which meant the land was "evoking water", "watercourse", or swamp-like in nature, and the river that crossed Manche and flowed into the coastal river was also named 'Soulles.' 

The river Soulles was 51.8 km, with an altitude of 177 metres, flowing into the Sienne at its estuary, and crossing the region of Normandy. 

The Soulles river crossed a commune 13km north of Percy. The commune and valley were named 'Soulles' after the river.

Soulles included the church of St. Helena of Orval, and the northern third of the territory would include a wooded area named 'Soulles Woods.' 

Soulles included a castle and courtyard where the Lord of Soulles ruled. 

The Lords of Soulles were possibly 'old saxons' who had joined the church before or during Rollo's ascent to power. 

In either case, to solidify his rule, Rollo had to be inline with the church, so perhaps this is where the Lords of Soulles got their titles. They were given lordship over the Norman area of Soulles. 

Those who possessed ownership of Soulles would be given the name 'de Soules' after their forenames and their descendants would pave the way for the Soulles to become among the most powerful and influential families in Britain following the Norman Conquest. 

By the 11th century, the Soulles were already recognised as a noble family in Normandy. 

According to Wace, the Lord of Soulles accompanied William the Conquerer during the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 

When the Battle of Hastings in 1066 commenced, the Lord of Soulles and his men, known as the 'Men of Sole', were described as "conspicuous" fighters who "striked at close quarters, holding their shields over their heads so as to receive the blows of the hatchet." 

The first recorded Soulle may have been called Ranulf de Soules and was born before 1070 in Soulles, Manche, Lower Normandy and had two sons, Ranulf de Soulles (born abt. 1088 in Soulles) and William de Soulles (born abt. 1100 in Soulles and died bef. 1170 in Scotland).

The descendants of the Lord of Soules who accompanied William the Conquerer during the battle of Hastings are mentioned as including the Soulis of Soulistoun. 

English Monarchs: Sweyn Forkbeard, Æthelred the Unready, Edmund Ironside, Cnut the Great, Harold Harefoot, Harthacnut, Edward the Confessor, Harold II

Sources:

1. Solys Family History [source: House of Names]

2. Unknown de Soules (born before 1070) [source: WikiTree]

3. https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulles [source: Wikipedia]

4. https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soulles_(rivi%C3%A8re) [source: Wikipedia]