William the Conqueror

c. 1028 – 9 September 1087

William the Conqueror (c. 1028-1087) was Duke of Normandy and, from 1066, the first Norman King of England. His victory at the Battle of Hastings transformed English society, law, language, and landholding, and his reign produced the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of his new kingdom. He ruled England and Normandy until his death near Rouen in 1087.

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Lived at the same time

Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with William the Conqueror.

Life events

Born in Falaise, Normandy
c. 1028

William was born in Falaise, the illegitimate son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and Herleva, earning him the early epithet 'William the Bastard'.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Became Duke of Normandy as a child
July 1035

On the death of his father Robert I while returning from pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the young William succeeded to the duchy of Normandy.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Victory at the Battle of Val-es-Dunes secured his rule of Normandy
1047

With the aid of King Henry I of France, William defeated rebellious Norman barons at Val-es-Dunes, consolidating his authority over the duchy.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Matilda of Flanders
c. 1051

William married Matilda, daughter of Count Baldwin V of Flanders, a politically valuable alliance that produced at least nine children.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Invaded England and won the Battle of Hastings
14 October 1066

William's Norman army defeated and killed King Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Hastings, opening England to the Norman Conquest.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey
25 December 1066

William was crowned King of England on Christmas Day at Westminster Abbey, becoming the first Norman monarch of England.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Carried out the Harrying of the North
1069 – 1070

In response to northern rebellions, William's forces devastated Yorkshire and neighbouring regions, causing widespread famine and depopulation.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Commissioned the Domesday survey
December 1085 – 1086

At his Christmas court at Gloucester, William ordered the great survey of landholding in England that produced the Domesday Book in 1086.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at the priory of Saint-Gervais near Rouen
9 September 1087

William died of injuries or illness sustained during his campaign against the French Vexin and was buried at the Abbaye-aux-Hommes in Caen.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓