William the Conqueror (1028-1087) - Find a Grave Memorial

British Monarch. William I, the first Norman King of England, ascended to the throne in 1066 shortly after the death of his second cousin, Edward the Confessor. Edward had no heir, but requested William to be his heir apparent to the throne. William was the son of the Norman Duke Robert the Magnificent and the unnamed daughter of a tanner. At age seven he became the Duke of Normandy. He married Matilia, daughter of the Count of Flanders, and to the union four sons and five daughters were born. Since the English Witan did not make him their first choice for King, he invaded England along with other armies, conquering the newly appointed King Harold Godwinson and his Saxon army at the Battle of Hastings, thus winning the throne and the name of William the Conqueror. He was crowned on Christmas Day 1066 in Westminster Abbey. The English government became much more stable during his 21-year reign. England adopted the culture of West European countries instead of those of the northern Scandinavian countries, feudal tenure of land was introduced, landowners started paying taxes to the king, and the English church was reorganized. He was considered a fair man, with only one man being executed during his time in power, but he strongly enforced the hunting-gaming laws and mutilated many for breaking them. William was injured at the siege of Mantes while fighting against his feudal overlord, the King of France. He died at Convent of St. Gervais near Rouen in Normandy. His third son Rufus was his heir becoming William II of England. His disappointed first son Robert became the heir of Normandy.

Bio by: Linda Davis