William the Conqueror, KING of England

William I "THE CONQUEROR" KING of England was born abt 1027-1028 at Falise Castle, Falaise, Normandie, France and died 19 September 1087 at Priory of St. Gervais, Rouen, Caux, France.

Falise Castle, Falaise, Normandie, France

William the Conqueror was my 27th Great Grandfather on my Grandpa Claridon Appleby’s side. William succeeded his father as Duke of Normandy at age seven. William was knighted by Henry I of France at age 15. By age 19 William was successfully dealing with threats of rebellion and invasion. Henry I of France helped William finally secured control of Normandy by defeating rebel Norman barons in 1047.

In 1053 William married Matilda of Flanders at the Notre-Dame Chapel of Eu Castle, Normandy. They had four sons and six daughters. After William married, Henry I felt threatened and tried to invade twice without success. 

 

signatures of William and Matilda by crosses

He was crowned King of England on 25 December 1066 at Westminster Abbey, Westminster, London, England.

Williams had conflict with his eldest son and many threats of invasions from the Danes.  In 1086 he ordered the compilation of the Domesday Book, which was a survey listing all the landholders in England along with all their holdings and values throughout his empire.

William died in September 1087 while leading a campaign in Northern  France. He was buried in Caen.  William was very successful King and has a considerable place in English history. During his reign he had many castles constructed.  He was responsible for the settling of a new Norman nobility on the land.  He not only ended the Saxon age of England, but changed the role of England for the Middle Ages. He did not try to rule as one huge empire, but controlled each part separately.  His lands were divided after his death by Normandy going to his eldest son and the second surviving son received England.  His descendants have ruled England ever since through the Plantagenet through the Windsor’s.