William the Conqueror

William was the illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy, and the daughter of a commoner. Because his mother was "beneath" the Duke's station, a marriage was forbidden and William was deemed illegitimate. He had his two half-brothers, Odo and Robert, and both supported him at the Battle of Hastings.

William's claim to the throne of England was supported by the noblemen of not only Normandy but also Brittany and Flanders. These allies were rewarded upon his victory by gifts of land and titles. These and all other lands within the English realm were recorded in the famous Domesday Book in 1085.

William was not loved by the Saxons, who became second class citizens under the Norman rule. There were many attempts to oust William from power, but all were easily quelled. For the 21 years of his reign, William the Conqueror held total power in England.

William married Matilda of Flanders and they had at least 10 children; Robert, Richard, Cecily, William, Adeliza, Constance, Adela, Agatha, Matilda and Henry. William died during a battle against the French near the town of Rouen. His body is buried in the Normandy town of Caen.

This scene from the Bayeux Tapestry, which records the Norman conquest,
depicts the appearance of Halley's Comet in 1066.
Like other comets during the Middle Ages,
Halley's Comet was regarded as an evil omen by King Harold and his subjects.

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