William the Conqueror
William was born in 1027 or 1028 at Falaise, Duchy of Normandy. His mother Herleva was a daughter of Fulbert of Falaise who may have been a tanner or embalmer. She did not marry Robert I, Duke of Normandy, making William an illegitimate son. This status caused immediate difficulties after his father died on the 6th of August 1027. The duchy descended into chaos as noble families despoiled the Church and Alan III of Brittany waged war against it. William faced challenges from all sides during his childhood and adolescence. Members of the Norman aristocracy battled each other for control of the child duke and their own ends. In early 1035, Robert convened a council where assembled Norman magnates swore fealty to William as heir before leaving for Jerusalem. He died in early July at Nicaea on his way back to Normandy. After Archbishop Robert's death in March 1037, Normandy quickly descended into chaos. Control of the young duke became one of the priorities of those contending for power. At first Alan of Brittany had custody of the duke until he died in late 1039 or October 1040. Gilbert of Brionne then took charge but was killed within months. Another guardian Turchetil was also killed around that time. Yet another guardian Osbern was slain in the early 1040s while William slept in his chamber. Walter, William's maternal uncle, was occasionally forced to hide the young duke in peasant houses according to stories that may be embellished by Orderic Vitalis.
Harold Godwinson was crowned king on the 6th of January 1066 in Edward's new Norman-style Westminster Abbey. King Harald Hardrada of Norway invaded Northumbria in September 1066 and defeated local forces under Morcar and Edwin at the Battle of Fulford near York. Harold received word of their invasion and marched north killing Tostig and Hardrada on the 25th of September at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. The Norman fleet finally set sail two days later landing in England at Pevensey Bay on the 28th of September. William moved to Hastings a few miles east where he built a castle as base of operations. He ravaged the interior and waited for Harold's return from the north refusing to venture far from the sea. Harold stopped in London for about a week before marching to Hastings spending about a week on his march south averaging about ten miles per day for the distance of approximately thirty miles. The battle began at about 9 am on the 14th of October and lasted all day. While numbers on each side were about equal William had both cavalry and infantry including many archers while Harold had only foot soldiers and few if any archers. English soldiers formed up as shield wall along ridge and were at first so effective that William's army was thrown back with heavy casualties. Some Breton troops panicked and fled allowing English troops to pursue them until they themselves were attacked and destroyed by Norman cavalry. During the Bretons flight rumours swept through Norman forces that duke had been killed but William succeeded in rallying his troops. Two further Norman retreats were feigned drawing English into pursuit exposing them to repeated attacks by Norman cavalry. The decisive event appeared to be Harold's death though differing stories exist about how it happened. Harold's body was identified the day after battle either through armour or marks on body. Gytha Thorkelsdottir offered weight of son's body in gold for it but offer was refused. William ordered body thrown into sea though whether that took place is unclear.
William returned to England in December 1067 and marched on Exeter which he besieged. Town held out for 18 days before falling to William who built castle to secure control. Harold's sons raided southwest from base in Ireland landing near Bristol but defeated by Eadnoth. In 1068 Edwin and Morcar rose in revolt supported by Gospatric Earl of Northumbria. King marched through Edwin's lands building Warwick Castle then continued to York constructing York and Nottingham Castles before returning south. On southbound journey began constructing Lincoln Huntingdon and Cambridge Castles placing supporters like William Peverel at Nottingham and Henry de Beaumont at Warwick. Early 1069 Edgar the Aetheling revolted attacking York where William returned building another castle. In autumn Edgar joined up with King Sweyn bringing large fleet attacking not only York but Exeter and Shrewsbury. York captured by combined forces of Edgar and Sweyn. William responded swiftly ignoring continental revolt in Maine symbolically wearing crown in ruins of York on Christmas Day 1069. He bought off Danes marching to River Tees ravaging countryside as went. Campaign included burning destruction part countryside royal forces marched through known as Harrying of North over by April 1070 when William wore crown ceremonially Easter at Winchester. Waltheof who joined revolt submitted along with Gospatric allowed retain lands. William marched Pennines winter defeating remaining rebels at Shrewsbury before building Chester Stafford Castles.
At Winchester in 1070 William met three papal legates John Minutus Peter Ermenfrid of Sion sent by pope. Legates ceremonially crowned William during Easter court historian David Bates sees coronation as ceremonial papal seal approval for conquest. Legates king held series ecclesiastical councils dedicated reorganising English church. Stigand brother Aethelmer Bishop Elmham deposed from bishoprics. Some native abbots also deposed council held near Easter further one near Whitsun. Whitsun council saw appointment Lanfranc new Archbishop Canterbury Thomas Bayeux new Archbishop York replacing Ealdred died September 1069. Norman clergy appointed replace deposed bishops abbots end process only two native English bishops remained office several continental prelates appointed Edward Confessor. In 1070 William founded Battle Abbey new monastery site Battle Hastings partly penance deaths battle partly memorial dead. At ecclesiastical council Lillebonne 1080 confirmed ultimate authority over Norman church. Christmas 1085 William ordered compilation survey landholdings held himself vassals throughout kingdom organised counties. Result work now known Domesday Book listing each county gives holdings landholder grouped owners. Listings describe holding owned land before Conquest value tax assessment usually number peasants ploughs any other resources holding had. Towns listed separately. All English counties south River Tees River Ribble included whole work seems mostly completed the 1st of August 1086 when Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records William received results chief magnates swore Salisbury Oath renewal oaths allegiance.
In late 1077 early 1078 trouble began between William eldest son Robert. Orderic Vitalis describes starting quarrel Robert younger brothers William Henry including story William Henry threw water Robert much more likely Robert feeling powerless. Orderic relates previously demanded control Maine Normandy rebuffed. Trouble 1077 resulted Robert leaving Normandy accompanied band young men many sons William supporters. Included among them Robert Belleme William de Breteuil Roger son Richard fitzGilbert. Band went castle Remalard proceeded raid into Normandy. Raiders supported many William continental enemies. William immediately attacked rebels driving from Remalard King Philip gave castle Gerberoi joined new supporters. William laid siege Gerberoi January 1079. After three weeks besieged forces sallied castle taking besiegers surprise. William unhorsed Robert saved death Englishman Toki son Wigod killed himself. Forces forced lift siege king returned Rouen. By the 12th of April 1080 William Robert reached accommodation William once more affirming Robert would receive Normandy died. Word defeat Gerberoi stirred difficulties northern England. August September 1079 King Malcolm Scots raided south River Tweed devastating land between River Tees Tweed lasting almost month. Lack Norman response appeared cause Northumbrians grow restive spring 1080 rebelled rule Walcher Bishop Durham Earl Northumbria. Walcher killed the 14th of May 1080 king dispatched half-brother Odo deal rebellion. William departed Normandy July autumn son Robert sent campaign against Scots. Robert raided Lothian forcing Malcolm agree terms building 'new castle' Newcastle upon Tyne returning England.
William left England towards end 1086 arriving back continent married his wife Matilda who died the 2nd of November 1083 adding problems. Maine continued difficult rebellion Hubert de Beaumont-au-Maine probably 1084. Hubert besieged castle Sainte-Suzanne William forces at least two years eventually made peace restored favour. Movements 1084 1085 unclear in Normandy Easter 1084 may been England before then collect danegeld assessed year defence England invasion King Cnut IV Denmark. English Norman forces remained alert throughout 1085 into 1086 invasion threat ended Cnut death July 1086. William died September 1087 leading campaign northern France buried Caen. Reign England marked construction castles settling new Norman nobility land change composition English clergy. Did not try integrate domains one empire continued administer each part separately. Lands divided after death: Normandy went Robert eldest son Robert Curthose England went second surviving son William Rufus. After 1066 William did not attempt integrate separate domains unified realm one set laws. Seal from after 1066 six impressions survive made him conquered England stressed role king separately mentioning role duke. When Normandy acknowledged owed fealty French king England no such acknowledgement made further evidence various parts lands considered separate.
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Common questions
When and where was William the Conqueror born?
William the Conqueror was born in 1027 or 1028 at Falaise in the Duchy of Normandy. His mother Herleva was a daughter of Fulbert of Falaise who may have been a tanner or embalmer.
What happened during the Battle of Hastings on the 14th of October 1066?
The battle began at about 9 am on the 14th of October and lasted all day while Harold's body was identified the day after the battle. English soldiers formed up as shield wall along ridge but were eventually defeated by Norman cavalry after feigned retreats exposed them to repeated attacks.
How did William the Conqueror secure control over England after 1066?
William returned to England in December 1067 and marched on Exeter which he besieged for 18 days before falling to him. He built castles including Warwick Castle York Castle Nottingham Castle Lincoln Castle Huntingdon Castle Cambridge Castle Chester Castle and Stafford Castles to place supporters like William Peverel at Nottingham and Henry de Beaumont at Warwick.
When was the Domesday Book completed and what did it contain?
The work seems mostly completed the 1st of August 1086 when Anglo-Saxon Chronicle records William received results chief magnates swore Salisbury Oath renewal oaths allegiance. The survey listed each county giving holdings landholder grouped owners describing holding owned land before Conquest value tax assessment usually number peasants ploughs any other resources holding had.
Who succeeded William the Conqueror after his death in September 1087?
Lands divided after death with Normandy going to Robert eldest son Robert Curthose and England going to second surviving son William Rufus. William died September 1087 leading campaign northern France buried Caen while reign marked construction castles settling new Norman nobility land change composition English clergy.