William The Conqueror

Faculty of Foreign Languages and Literature

„Ion Creangă” State Pedagogical University

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William the Conqueror

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                            Prepared by: Bîrliga Lilia

                                                                                                            Verified by: Roșca Angela

                                                                                                       

 

 

 

 

 

Chișinău, 2013

Content:

1. William the Conqueror Biography

2. The Life of William the Conqueror

3. The Battle of Hastings

4. The Laws of William the Conqueror

5. William's appearance

6.  The Death of William I

7. Legacy

8. William the Conqueror Timeline

9. Bibliography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William the Conqueror should strictly be known as William I. William is credited with kick-starting England into the phase known as Medieval England; William was the victor at the Battle of Hastings; he introduced modern castle building techniques into Medieval England and by his death in 1087, he had financially tied down many people with the Domesday Book. 

William was born in 1027 and he died in 1087.

His father was Robert, Duke of Normandy and his mother was Herleve of Falaise. They never married and William was known as "William the Bastard" to his enemies - though this was never said to his face when he had grown up.

In 1035, Robert died and as his only surviving heir, William became Duke of Normandy at the age of 8. William's young age and the fact that he was born out of marriage, meant that many lords in Normandy did not approve of him ruling them. In 1040, they tried to kill William. The plan failed but William's guardian - Gilbert of Brionne - was killed.

In 1047, the lords in western Normandy rebelled against William again. They, again, failed but these two incidents taught William to trust no-one. He also became a victim of the violent time he lived in. He believed that if someone betrayed him, then he should show no mercy. If a village or town betrayed him, then he should show no mercy. In 1051, citizens in the town of Alençon, which William was besieging, taunted him about being illegitimate. Once the town had fallen to him, he ordered that those who had abused him should have their hands and feet cut off. 

In 1051, William met Edward the Confessor. William claimed that at this meeting, Edward promised him the throne of England on Edward's death. However, there were no proper witnesses to this meeting - only those who wanted to keep on the good side of William.

In 1053, William married Matilda of Flanders. They had nine children, of whom seven survived.

During the next ten years, William had to constantly fight off invaders to his territory. He was always successful and built up a feared and professional army. His army's main power was based on his cavalry - horse borne soldiers. These men were highly trained. They wore chain mail into battle, used a lance, sword or mace to fight with and rode horses that were bred to carry such a weight at speed.

After defeating Harold at the Battle of Hastings, William gained control over England by the use of the Feudal System. His control over the people was greatly extended by the Domesday Book.

He died in September 1087 after suffering from major internal injuries when his horse, scared by embers in a burning Norman village, reared and rammed the pommel on the saddle into William's stomach. He took several days to die. When he did, he was buried but he was too big for his coffin and his body had to be stuffed into it. Legend has it, that the body split open because it had rotted so much before burial. What was put into his coffin was stolen in 1562 - all except a thigh bone. This was removed during the French Revolution - no-one knows the whereabouts of the skeleton of the man who won the Battle of Hastings!

 

The Laws of William the Conqueror

The laws introduced by William the Conqueror after his victory at Hastings in 1066, had an impact on everybody in England. These laws were introduced by William to control the English. William has gained a reputation of being nothing more than a tyrant in England. However, these laws, designed to control a conquered nation, could have been a lot worse. At the start of his reign, William wanted to appeal to the English. He tried to learn the English language, as an example. 

Along with the building of castles and the Domesday Book, these laws were part of William's way of controlling the English population. However, what William would have seen as conciliatory behaviour at the start of his reign, was not as well received as he would have wished for. After the rebellion in the north of England, Norman rule became far more harsh. 

What did these laws state? Below is a modern translation of what they introduced.

1. Only one God will be worshipped throughout the whole of England and there will be only one faith. This will preserve peace between the English and the Normans.

2. All freemen will swear an oath that they will be loyal to the king. All freemen will swear to defend William against all of his enemies.

3. All those men who came to England with William in 1066 and after, shall be guaranteed their safety. If any of these men are killed, his murderer must be caught within five days if possible. His lord is responsible for this. If that lord fails to do this, that lord must pay me 46 marks of silver. If he cannot afford to pay this fine, those who live under his control must pay up to a total of 46 marks of silver.

4. All Frenchmen who shared in the customs of the English when Edward the Confessor was king shall pay what is called "scot and lot".

5. No live cattle can be sold outside of cities. When cattle is sold in cities, there must be three witnesses to the sale. If this law is ignored, the person responsible shall be fined the same sum of money as was made in the sale.  

6. If a Frenchman accuses an Englishman of murder, theft or perjury, that Englishman shall be allowed to defend himself either by ordeal through combat or by ordeal by hot iron. If that Englishman is too ill to do this, he will find another Englishman to do this in his place. If an Englishman accuses a Frenchman of a crime, and is unwilling to prove his case against the Frenchman by ordeal of combat or hot iron, the Frenchman will be acquitted if he swears an oath of innocence.

7. All the laws regarding land ownership introduced under Edward the Confessor, shall be kept alongside those land laws William has introduced.

8. Anybody who wants to considered a freeman must swear an oath of loyalty. This oath must be guaranteed by others. If this man who has sworn an oath, breaks the law, those who have guaranteed his oath must pay any fine that is set against this man. Any problems should be sorted out in a court of law. If anybody who is summoned to court refuses to attend, he shall receive one warning; if he refuses to attend a second time, he shall have one ox taken from him.

If he fails to attend a third time, he shall have another ox taken from him. If he fails to attend a fourth time, he shall pay a fine to the king and shall have taken from him goods to the value of the original charge against the accused. 

9. No man is allowed to sell another man. Anyone breaking this law will pay a fine to the king.

10. No one shall be executed for crimes they have committed; but if they are guilty of a crime, they will be blinded and castrated. This law is not to be challenged.

William's brutal clampdown on any opponents only occurred after the failed rebellion in the north of England which centred on an attack on York Castle. It was only after the English had seemingly betrayed William and his 'generosity' that he embarked on the "Harrying of the North" and the rule imposed on England became more brutal.

 

William's appearance

 

William matured into a tall, thick set man with dark hair, which receeded from his forehead early. His voice was rasping and guttural. William undoubtedly possessed considerable powers of leadership and courage. He was devout and inspired loyalty in his followers, but could also be ruthless and cruel.

William of Malmesbury provides us with a detailed description of the king in his Historia Anglorum:-

“He was of just stature, ordinary corplulence, fierce countenance; his forehead was bare of hair; of such great strength of arm that it was often a matter of surprise, that no one was able to draw his bow, which himself could bend when his horse was in full gallop; he was majestic whether sitting or standing, although the protuberance of his belly deformed his royal person; of excellent health so that he was never confined with any dangerous disorder, except at the last; so given to the pleasures of the chase, that as I have before said, ejecting the inhabitants, he let a space of many miles grow desolate that, when at liberty from other avocations, he might there pursue his pleasures.

His anxiety for money is the only thing on which he can deservedly be blamed. This he sought all opportunities of scraping together, he cared not how; he would say and do some things and indeed almost anything, unbecoming to such great majesty, where the hope of money allured him. I have here no excuse whatever to offer, unless it be, as one has said, that of necessity he must fear many, whom many fear.”

The Death of William I

The last year of William's life was spent fighting in Normandy, in battle for the Vexin, a much disputed territory, which lay between Normandy and France. Amongst those opposing him was his rebellious eldest son, Robert, nicknamed Curthose by his father, due to his short legs.

On 9th September, 1087, whilst riding through the smouldering ruins of the sacked town of Mantes, in what must have appeared to him as like an act of divine retribution, William was thrown from his horse when it trod on burning ashes and sustained severe abdominal injuries.

The King, now aged fifty nine and mortally injured, was carried to the convent of St. Gervais in Rouen, the Norman capital. There he summoned his younger sons, William and Henry, to his deathbed. Robert Curthose remained at the court of France. William confessed his sins and sought pardon. His treasure was distributed to the churches and the poor, "so that what I amassed through evil deeds may be assigned to the holy uses of good men."

England was bequeathed to his second surviving and favourite son, William Rufus and despite his bitter differences with Robert Curthose, he left Normandy to him. To Henry, the youngest son, later destined to inherit all his dominions, he left 5,000 silver pounds. He is reported to have ruminated on and repented of his many sins, transgressions and cruelties at the end. He tried to salve his conscience, before preparing to meet his maker and fearing for his immortal soul, he ordered all the treasure he possessed in Rouen to be given to the church and the poor and forgave his enemies. William the Conqueror died on 9th September, 1087, having ruled England for 21 years.

William was buried in the monastery of St.Stephen at Caen in Normandy, an abbey he had previously founded as an act of repentence for his consanguineous marriage to Matilda of Flanders. The body was broken as it was lowered into the sepulchre, made too short by the stonemasons and the ceremony was interrupted by a dispossessed knight. A stone slab with a Latin inscription, in the abbey church of Caen today marks the burial place of the first Norman King of England. His grave has since been desecrated twice, in the course of the French Wars of Religion his bones were scattered across Caen, and during the tumultuous events of the French Revolution, the Conqueror's tomb was again despoiled.

 

Legacy

 

William died in 1087 in Rouen, France. He had four sons and five daughters, and every monarch of England since has been his direct descendant. Although he never spoke English and was illiterate, he had more influence on the evolution of the English language then anyone before or since - adding a slew of French and Latin words to the English dictionary. The introduction of skilled Norman administrators may be largely responsible for eventually making England the most powerful government in Europe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William the Conqueror Timeline

1028  - William was born in Falaise, Normandy, an illegitimate son of Robert I; 
1035  - Duke Robert I (William's father) dies in Bithynia; 
1035  - William becomes Duke William II of Normandy at the aged of 7 years old 
1051 - Edward the Confessor gives a pledge to William that he will be made his successor to the    throne of England; 
1052 - William marries Matilda of Flanders; 
1052 - Edward the Confessor is forced to expel Normans from his court due to pressure brought to bear by Harold Godwinson; 
1065 - William meets Harold Godwinson - Harold pledges allegiance to William 
1066 - William obtains support from the Pope  for his invasion of England and the right to the English throne 
1066 - 28th September - William lands at Pevensey 
1066 - 29th September - William captures Hastings 
1066 - 14th October - William is victorious at the Battle of Hastings 
1066 - 25th December - Duke William is crowned King of England 
1067 - January - Duke William is crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey in London 
1067 -  March - William the Conqueror starts constructing castles in England Norwich Castle, Wallingford Castle and Chepstow Castle 
1067 - March -  William returns to Normandy until December 1067 
1067 - Autumn - Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux is made Earl of Kent and becomes William's Deputy in England 
1067 - December - William returns to England 
1067 - February - Rebellion against the Normans! The English, led by Harold's mother Gytha, resist the Normans at Exeter but are defeated by the Normans 
1067 - Spring - King William starts construction of Exeter Castle and the Tower of London 
1068 - May 11th - King William's wife, Matilda, is crowned Queen of England 
1068 - Rebellion! The "Harrying of the North" 
1070 - Rebellion against the Normans! Hereward the Wake leads the English with Harold's brother the Earl Morcar against the Normans at Peterborough but is defeated  
1070 - The Norman Conquest is complete 
1086 - The Doomsday Book 
1087 - 9th September - William the Conqueror dies at Saint-Gervais near Rouen, France.

 

 

 

 

Bibliography:

1. www.normaninvasion.info

2. www.wikipedia.com

3. www.britannia.com

4. www.byography.com

5. www.britainexpress.com

6. www.historylearningsite.co.uk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Duke William of Normandy also known as William the Bastard. He was born in Falaise in 1028 -  his parents were unmarried. His father was Robert I, the sixth Duke of Normandy. His mother was called Herleva who was the humble daughter of a Tanner called Fulbert. William's parents also had a daughter called Adelaide. Duke Robert died in 1035 and William became Duke of Normandy at the age of just seven years old. William's mother later married the Viscount of Conteville and produced a half-sister to William called Muriel and two half-brothers - Robert and Odo (Odo later became the Bishop of Bayeux who commissioned the famous Bayeux tapestry). In 1052 William married Matilda of Flanders.

Edward the Confessor, the King of England,  took refuge in Normandy after the Danes conquered England, he stayed at the palace of William. He was very kindly treated there, and William said that in 1051 Edward had promised in gratitude that William should succeed him as king of England.

Edward the Confessor returned to England and took with him Norman friends and advisors. The English nobles led by Harold Godwinson were furious at having so many French at court and Edward was forced to expel them. Harold Godwinson later married Edith the sister of Edward the Confessor.

In 1065 Duke William meets with Harold Godwinson and is believed to have pledged a sacred oath of allegiance to the Duke.

Edward the Confessor dies and Harold, the son of Earl Godwin, claims the English throne and is crowned the King of England. Duke William immediately stakes his claim on the English throne and receives support from many of the French nobles. Duke William appeals to the Pope to support his cause. The Pope agrees and sanctions a Holy War, or Crusade, against the English.

Duke William gathers an army and a fleet of ships. Many mercenaries flock to his cause. The fleet lands on the South coast of England at Pevensey on 28th September 1066. There are no English to meet him - not one soldier! William erects one of three pre-built castle he has brought with him at Pevensey and marches on to Hastings.

Meanwhile King Harold has fought off a Viking invasion led by King Hardrada in the North of England. William and his army were waiting for the Normans at the South coast when they received news of the Vikings. Harold and his men had to make a force march to York, win a bloody battle with the Vikings on 25th September and then make another forced march back to Southern England to meet Duke William on October 14th.

The two armies met at Senlac (later re-named Battle). William, clad in complete armor, was in the very front of the fight, urging on his troops. At one time a cry arose in his army that he was slain and a panic began. William drew off his helmet and rode along the lines, shouting, "I live! I live! Fight on! We shall conquer yet!".

It was a hard fought fight and King Harold and his brothers were killed. Duke William was victorious and was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey on 25th December 1066.

Normans are rewarded with English land. There are various rebellions against William and the Norman Conquest in both Normandy and England and he has to travel between both countries to keep order. His half-brother Odo, Bishop of Bayeux, is made Earl of Kent and becomes William's Deputy in England and under his instructions the magnificent Bayeux tapestry is completed illustrating the Norman Invasion.

The English rebellions against the Norman Conquest are first led in 1067 by King Harold's mother Gytha but her forces are defeated. In 1068 King William exacts a terrible punishment on rebels in the North of England referred to as 'The Harrying of the North'- William orders that all land is laid to waste and thousands of men, women and children are starved to death. The final major rebellion against William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest is led by Hereward the Wake with Harold's brother the Earl Morcar against the Normans at Peterborough - once again the rebels are defeated and the Norman Conquest is finally complete.

William the Conqueror instituted his strategy for medieval warfare of building castles and went on to build many castles in England including his most famous, the Tower of London.

William the Conqueror also left another legacy - The Doomsday Book which was begun in 1086 and contained detailed records of 13,418 settlements in England. The Doomsday Book, which still survives, provides an insight into the medieval life and times of this era.

William the Conqueror died in 1087 at Saint-Gervais near Rouen in France.

William the Conqueror