William the Conqueror (0)

William the Conqueror
William I was French . William I ( 1027 – 9 September 1087), better known as William the Conqueror, was Duke of Normandy from 1035 and King of England from 1066 to his death . William is also referred to as "William II" in relation to his position as Duke of Normandy. In particular, before his conquest of England, he was known as "William the Bastard because of the illegitimacy of his birth .
On his father 's death in 1035, William was recognised as heir, with his great uncle serving as regent. In 1042 he began to take more personal control . From 1046 until 1055 he dealt with a series of baronial rebellions. William's political and military successes helped him in negotiations to marry Matilda , daughter of Count Baldwin of Flanders in 1053.
When William was 24 years old, he visited England for the first time. When he saw what a pleasant country it was, he thought he would like to be its king. So he persuaded Edward to promise him the crown . This was something which Edward had no right to do because in those days the King was chosen by a council of wise men. So William had no chance at all.
Harold was crowned the King of England on January 5th, 1066 .
William was more than angry when he heard this. He gathered an army all over Europe and started the battle for the crown. William landed in the south of England near a town called Hastings. The Battle of Hastings took place on the 14th of October, 1066 .The Normans outnumbered the Anglo-Saxon forces and were better armed . Normans won the Battle and King Harold was killed , England was invaded.
It took several years to conquer the whole England. The Normans encircled London and the Anglo-Saxon nobility had to acknowledge William as the rightful king of England.
In 1071 the invasion was completed. He divided the country into seven parts making one of it the royal domain. He built many castles all over England. William replaced the council of noblemen by a Great Council which consisted of bishops and barons.
William had four sons, including the future kings William II and Henry I and six daughters.
William I died of his injuries after falling from his horse while fighting in France in 1078.