William+the+Conqueror

=William the Conqueror=

Rouen
William the Conqueror was born in 1028 in Falaise, Normandy, France to an unmarried French woman named Arlette, a tanners’ daughter, and his father Robert I, the Duke of Normandy. William’s father died in 1035 leaving him the new Duke of Normandy at the age of 7. Because he was so young there were many fights and civil wars that broke out because of those looking to steal the dukedom from the young William. Through the help of many loyal guards and the help of King Henry I of France, William survived the early years of his new position of power. Because of the constant warring, William saw brutality from a young age that shaped the man he was to become. After the Battle of Hastings in 1066, he was crowned the King of England and he ruled England until he died on September 9, 1087 in Rouen, France. He had 4 sons and 5 daughters and every monarch of England since has been one of his direct descendants.

William is most known for being a ruthless leader. During one of his first battles in his 20’s, he punished those that were fighting against him by cutting off their hands and feet after his victory. This establishes Normandy as a powerful state. He furthers his stronghold on Normandy by marrying Matilda of Flanders that made an alliance with his rich neighboring state. Furthering his power, he became friends with his distant cousin, Edward the Confessor, King of England. There was a time when Edward sought refuge in Normandy when Vikings were trying to overthrow his father. By 1051, Edward had no children and reportedly told William he would name him the successor of the English crown when he dies because they are related. King Edward’s right hand man was and Earl named Harold Godwinson. In 1064, Harold was traveling to France and was shipwrecked and captured by a rival of Williams’, the Count of Ponthieu. William ordered him released and sent to Normandy. There go on a military campaign together in Brittany. Harold pledges his loyalty to William as the true successor to the English throne when Edward dies. When, on his deathbed, King Edward names Harold his successor in January 1066, he soon forgets his promise and is crowned King Harold II of England the day after Edward dies. This act infuriated William so he rallied support from his neighboring French states and also asked the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church for his support in claiming the throne of England as the rightful heir. His request is granted and he carries into battle against Harold and England one of the first papal banners. William sailed to England for war. Harold had to fight 2 other small battles over claims to the throne before he battled William. They battled in Hastings. This was an all day bloody battle and supposedly King Harold II was shot in the eye with and arrow and dies that day. William pushed on into London where the last of the English forces were defeated and on Christmas Day, 1066 William the Conqueror was crowned the first Norman King of England, in Westminster Abbey, which ended the Anglo-Saxon rule of England.

Even considering the way King William I obtained the crown in England, he left behind many lasting positive effects on the English history. The French language that was mostly spoken in the King’s court blended with the Anglo-Saxon tongue and gave birth to modern English. The greatest census undertaking ever of the time was completed in 6 months under Williams rule. This collection of data about people, properties and various other information about England was called the “Domesday Book”. The policies he created and implemented are largely responsible for making England one of the most powerful nations in Europe. His Norman administrators were vital in making England’s government extremely powerful and effective. Not too bad for someone that couldn’t read or write and never spoke English.

Upon the death of William I in 1087, his son, William Rufus, became William II, the second Norman King of England. It will be another 300 years before another English speaking King is Crowned King of England.