William the conqueror interesting facts
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William the Conqueror
King of England (1066–1087), Duke of Normandy (1035–1087)
For other uses, see William the Conqueror (disambiguation).
| William the Conqueror | |
|---|---|
William is depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry during the Battle of Hastings, lifting his helmet to show that he is still alive. | |
| Reign | 25 December 1066 – 9 September 1087 |
| Coronation | 25 December 1066 |
| Predecessor | |
| Successor | William II |
| Reign | 3 July 1035 – 9 September 1087 |
| Predecessor | Robert I |
| Successor | Robert II |
| Born | c. 1028[1] Falaise, Duchy of Normandy |
| Died | 9 September 1087 (aged about 59) Priory of Saint Gervase, Rouen, Duchy of Normandy |
| Burial | Saint-Étienne de Caen, Normandy |
| Spouse | Matilda of Flanders(m. 1051/2; d. 1083) |
| Issue Detail | |
| House | Normandy |
| Father | Robert the Magnificent |
| Mother | Herleva of Falaise |
William the Conqueror[a] (c. 1028[1] – 9 September 1087), sometimes called William the
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William I of England, better known as William the Conqueror, overcame a difficult childhood to become one of the most influential kings in British history. Here are 10 facts about the man and his rise to power.
1. He was also known as William the Bastard
Not, as we might imagine today, in a nod to his nasty behaviour, but because he was born in 1028 to unmarried parents — Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and his mistress, Herleva. This fact led to him being taunted as a child.
2. William’s childhood was marred by violence
William was surrounded bygd violence from a ung age.
After his father died, William inherited the hertigdöme but Normandy was soon plunged into civil war with the region’s aristocrats battling each other for — among other things — control of the young duke. One rebel even cut the throat of William’s steward as he slept in the duke’s bedchamber.
3. He gained a reputation for brutality
After defeating a rebellion in Normandy led by his cousin, William lay the foundati
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By Peter Konieczny
A quick guide to William I (c.1028-1087), Duke of Normandy and King of England, one of the most famous rulers of the medieval era.
He became Duke of Normandy as a child
According to the chronicler William of Malmesbury, Robert I, Duke of Normandy (1027-35) met a lady named Herleva: “Her beauty had once caught his eye as she was dancing, and he could not refrain from sleeping with her; and henceforth he loved her above all others, and for some time kept her in the position of a lawful wife.”
The product of this union was a son named William, and there was some dispute about whether or not he was of legitimate or illegitimate birth – outside of Normandy he was called William the Bastard. In 1035 Robert died while returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and, since William was his only son, he became the next Duke of Normandy.
He was only seven or eight years old at this time, so his control over this territory was very weak. William of Malmesbury called