Why were the Normans such good builders?

Question

The Normans are a bunch of Vikings that settled in northern France, and within a century they were Christians speaking French. By 1066 they had become very experienced at fighting wars between themselves, a skill that came in useful, but they also produced magnificent cathedrals across Normandy and later, England. So where did this come from? Did the rich Norman lands attract experts from across Europe? If so, why didn't they also go to rich Anglo-Saxon England? Was it just a fashion that happened to catch on there?

Answer 1

The grand Norman castles and cathedrals that spring to mind when one thinks of the Norman/Plantagenet period of England came somewhat after the Conquest. The first castles in England were simple Motte and Bailey structures designed more for defense against peasant revolt than a motivated military force. Cathedrals were examples of royal power and collaboration with ecclesiastical authorities, in times of poverty it allowed a great deal of work to go to those who needed it. The Anglo-Saxons also had grand cathedrals, yet they were initially made out of wood so didn't survive or were sacked and ravaged by the Norman conquests.