William of Normandy (also known as William the Conqueror) was the victor at the
Battle of the Hastings in 1066. William was born in 1027 and he died in 1087. His farther was Robert, Duke of Normandy and his mother was Herleve of Falaise. They never married and not many people liked William, and his enemies would call him names, but they never said it to his face. In 1035, Robert died and as his only son, William became Duke of Normandy at the age of 8. William's young age and the fact that he was born out of marriage meant that many lords in Normandy did not approve of him ruling their land. In 1040, they tried to kill William, but Williams guardian Gilbert of Brionne was killed instead.
In 1047, the lords in western Normandy tried to attack William again. They failed again, but these two incidents taught William to trust no one. He believed that if someone betrayed him, they should show no mercy, and he become a victim of the violent time he lived in. The citizens in the town of Alencon taunted him about being illegitimate. Once the town had fallen to him, he ordered that those who had abused him should have their hands and feet cut off.
In 1051, William met Edward the Confessor. William claimed that at this meeting, Edward promise him the throne of England
on Edward's death. But, there were no witnesses to this meeting, only those who wanted to keep on the good side of William. In 1053, William married Matilda of Flanders, and they had nine children (but only seven survived). Over the next 10
years, William had to fight off invaders to his territory. He was always the winner and built up a professional army. His army consisted of men who were highly trained with chain armour, swords and rode on horses that were bred to
carry a heavy amount of weight at a high speed.
After defeating Harold Godwin at the Battle of the Hastings, William gained control over England by using the Feudal System. He
died in September 1087 from a major internal injury when his horse was scared by fires in a burning Norman village, and it rammed the pommel on the saddle into William's stomach. It took him several days to die, and he was buried in a
coffin but he had to be stuffed into it because he was too big.
Battle of the Hastings in 1066. William was born in 1027 and he died in 1087. His farther was Robert, Duke of Normandy and his mother was Herleve of Falaise. They never married and not many people liked William, and his enemies would call him names, but they never said it to his face. In 1035, Robert died and as his only son, William became Duke of Normandy at the age of 8. William's young age and the fact that he was born out of marriage meant that many lords in Normandy did not approve of him ruling their land. In 1040, they tried to kill William, but Williams guardian Gilbert of Brionne was killed instead.
In 1047, the lords in western Normandy tried to attack William again. They failed again, but these two incidents taught William to trust no one. He believed that if someone betrayed him, they should show no mercy, and he become a victim of the violent time he lived in. The citizens in the town of Alencon taunted him about being illegitimate. Once the town had fallen to him, he ordered that those who had abused him should have their hands and feet cut off.
In 1051, William met Edward the Confessor. William claimed that at this meeting, Edward promise him the throne of England
on Edward's death. But, there were no witnesses to this meeting, only those who wanted to keep on the good side of William. In 1053, William married Matilda of Flanders, and they had nine children (but only seven survived). Over the next 10
years, William had to fight off invaders to his territory. He was always the winner and built up a professional army. His army consisted of men who were highly trained with chain armour, swords and rode on horses that were bred to
carry a heavy amount of weight at a high speed.
After defeating Harold Godwin at the Battle of the Hastings, William gained control over England by using the Feudal System. He
died in September 1087 from a major internal injury when his horse was scared by fires in a burning Norman village, and it rammed the pommel on the saddle into William's stomach. It took him several days to die, and he was buried in a
coffin but he had to be stuffed into it because he was too big.