orig. Vody
born 1834, Cambodia
died April 24, 1904, Phnom Penh
King of Cambodia (r. 1860–1904).
Cambodia had been under the joint vassalage of Vietnam and Siam (Thailand) since 1802. After the death of Norodom's father in 1860, the Siamese asserted sole dominion over Cambodia by refusing to allow the Vietnamese to participate in Norodom's crowning. France opposed Siamese claims on the country and forced Norodom to accept French protection. He was crowned in 1864, and during his reign France dominated Cambodian affairs.