William the Bastard
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
September 1066, decisively defeating and killing Harold
at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066.
He made arrangements for the governance of England in
early 1067 before returning to Normandy. Several
unsuccessful rebellions followed, but by 1075 William's
annaabi.ee 
