William the Bastard
I, Duke of Normandy, by Robert's
mistress Herleva.
During his childhood and adolescence,
members of the Norman aristocracy battled
each other, both for control of the
child duke and for their own ends.
About william the first
In 1047 William was able to quash a
rebellion and begin to establish his
authority over the duchy, a process that
was not complete until about 1060.
His marriage in the 1050s to Matilda of
Flanders provided him with a powerful ally
in the neighbouring county of Flanders.
By 1062 William was able to secure control
of the neighbouring county of Maine.
Conquests
In the 1050s and early 1060s William became a contender
for the throne of England, then held by his childless first
cousin once removed Edward the Confessor.
William built a large fleet and invaded England in
annaabi.ee 
