William the Conqueror :: essays research papers

He was the word of honor of Robert, Duke of Normandy, his mother, Herleva, the young woman of a tanner of Falaise. In 1035 Williams father Robert, Duke of Normandy, went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, in which he died. Before showtime the pilgrimage, he presented to the nobles his seven year old child demanding their allegiance. "He is microscopic", the father said, "but he give grow, and, if God please, he will mend." William, after a period of anarchy, became the ruler of Normandy in his fathers place at the age of nine. William had a youth of clean life and of much internal piety, while the years of storm and stress through which he passed gave him an fortitude of character which lasted to his lifes end. During the time of anarchy in Normandy he became a accomplished military leader and defeated his enemies, uniting his duchy. Once he began fighting, rumour has it that he never lost a battle. In 1047 a serious-minded rebellion of nobles occurred, and William with the aid of King Henry of France, gained a great success at Val-s-Dunes, near Caen. Which led to the capture of the two strong castles of Alenon and Domfront. Using this as his base of operations, the young duke, in 1054 made himself outperform of the province of Maine and became the most powerful vassal of the French Crown, able on occasion to bid defiance to the king himself. William even married Matilda, the daughter of the Earl of Flanders, in 1053,in spite of the papal prohibition.In 1066 when his claim to the English can buoy was threatened by Harold Godwinson. Due to the fact that Harold Godwinson overlooked the dead kings wishes. Edward the Confessor, verbalise his loyalty to William of Normandy when he died not to Harold. Harold Godwinson promptly had himself proclaimed king. It was only a matter of months before William, Duke of the large and powerful duchy of Normandy in France, remunerative Harold a visit to bring to his remembrance his own claim to the throne. William raise an army of Normans by promising them land and wealth when he came into his rightful(prenominal) kingship. October 14th 1066 he and William fought at the famous battle of Hastings. William and his army of Normans came, saw, and conquered. line up to his promise to his fellow warriors, William systematically replaced the English nobility with Norman barons and noblemen who took potency of the land, the people, and the government.