William the Conqueror

The Birth of William the Conqueror

1028

In 1028, William the Conqueror was born in Falaise, Normandy, France. William was the illegitimate son of Robert 1, Robert 1 was a duke of Normandy. Unfortunately, William's father died in 1035 while he was returning from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

William the Conqueror becomes Duke of Normandy

1035

William the Conqueror becomes the Duke of Normandy in 1035, he took the position after the death of his father. Where he kept the position until his death, one of the reasons he was accepted for the position was because his father nominated him as his heir before his departure. Then the Norman magnates and King Henry 1 of France also accepted him for the position, where he becomes the Duke

William the Conqueror Starts To Play A Role in His Duchy

1042

By 1042, William the Conqueror has become 15 years old. He was knighted, which was a honor, He also began to play a personal part in the affairs of his duchy, the worst was over. However, he attempts to recover rights lost during the anarchy and to bring disobedient vassals and servants to heel that inevitably led to trouble.

A Series of Baronial Rebellions

1046

William had to deal with a series of baronial rebellions, where they were mostly led by kinsmen. There would be times where he was in danger, which would lead him needing help and relying on Henry of France. William learned how to fight and rule during these years; finally, in 1047. A decisive moment came, together William and Henry defeated a coalition of Norman rebels at Val-es-Dunes. It's located in Southeast of Caen, where he first demonstrated his prowess as warrior.

The Battle of Hastings

Oct 14, 1066

The Battle of Hastings occurred over who would be the successor of the England throne, this is because King Edward had died with no heir. Which means who will be the new King of England, where the people participating the battle was William the Conqueror with his army and an English under the Anglo-Saxon King Harold Godwinson. The battle ended with the defeat of King Harold Godwinson, which means that William the Conqueror becomes the King of England by taking the throne.

The Domesday Book

1085

William made the Domesday book to help him with taxes, it basically listed everybody under his control and what they own. He created the Domesday book to pay for his army and as a survey, where it helped him assess the wealth and assets of his subjects throughout the land. William also insured that his subjects were loyal to him by making sure they first pledge loyalty to him, so they were obligated to follow his orders before others.

The Death of William the Conqueror

Sep 9, 1087

William was 59 years old when he died, where he had ruled England for 21 years and 31 years for Normandy. William the Conqueror died of an infection, where one source says he died from falling off his horse. When he did, he caused internal damage. Where he suffered for a few weeks before his death; on the other hand, others say he became ill and died of his sickness after a few weeks of suffering. Although, most sources said the cause of his death was falling of his horse.