William I the Conqueror Biography

Birth of William I the Conqueror, illegitimate son of Duke Robert of Normandy

Death of Robert, Williams father, nobles contest Williams succession to the Duchy

Norman nobles rebel when William becomes Duke of Normandy because he is illegitimate

William is recognized as Duke of Normandy after the death of his father, Robert I.

Succeeds as Duke of Normandy

William remains under noble guardianship while rival factions compete for influence in the duchy.

King Henry I of France knights the young William, strengthening his standing among the Norman aristocracy.

A coalition led by Guy of Burgundy challenges William's rule and forces him to seek support from King Henry I.

With the aid of Henry I defeats nobles attempting to usurp Williams claim to Normandy

William and Henry I defeat the rebel coalition at Val-es-Dunes, greatly strengthening William's control of Normandy.

Captures the castle of Mouliherne near Angers

Captures the castle of Domfront from Geoffrey of Martel

Visits Edward the Confessor, 1st cousin once removed, claims he is promised the throne. Succeeds as King of England

William of Arques rebels against the duke, creating a new challenge to William's authority in eastern Normandy.

William's marriage to Matilda of Flanders strengthens political ties between Normandy and the powerful county of Flanders.

Marries Matilda of Flanders, daughter of Baldwin V Count of Flanders. Marries a direct descendent of Alfred the Great & niece of King Henry I of France

William contains the rebellion at Arques and prevents French support from overturning his rule.

William's supporters defeat one wing of the French invasion at Mortemer, forcing Henry I to abandon the campaign.

Has a son Robert Curthose, future Duke of Normandy

Captures the fortification of Ambrieres

King Henry I and Geoffrey Martel invade Normandy in separate columns to weaken William's growing power.

Henry I is forced to agree a humiliating peace with William, Duke of Normandy

William sets fire to Aumale & slaughters the French soldiers. Henry I retreats from Normandy

Has a 2nd son

Has a 3rd son, the future William II Rufus

William attacks the French army as it crosses the Dives at Varaville and inflicts a damaging defeat.

Henry I never enters Normandy again. Henry I agrees a humiliating peace with William of Normandy

Henry I agrees a humiliating peace with William of Normandy

Henry Is army is massacred by William Duke of Normandy after leaving Caen

Pope Nicholas II lifts the Papal ban on William I marrying Matilda

The deaths of Henry I and Geoffrey Martel remove two major external threats to William's control of Normandy.

The death of Count Herbert II creates a succession dispute that allows William to press Norman claims in Maine.

William secures Le Mans during his campaign to impose Norman authority over the county of Maine.

The fortification of Mayenne is stormed but Geoffrey of Mayenne manages to escape

Succeeds as King of England

Captures Maine

Le Mans surrenders to William

Hands Harold Godwinson over to William I the Conqueror

Hears of Harolds arrest & demands that Guy of Ponthieu hand him over to him

William campaigns in Brittany while Harold Godwinson is present in Normandy and accompanies the Norman forces.

William later presents Harold's disputed oath as evidence that Harold had promised to support his succession to England.

Harold allegedly swears an oath to William supporting his claim to the English throne. Harold allegedly swears an oath supporting William Is claim to the Englishe throne

Harold II, then Earl of Wessex, is shipwrecked off Normandy at Ponthieu

Harold II swears an oath to William & supports his claim to the throne of England

Harold II swears an oath to William & supports his claim to the throne of England

William lays siege to Dol, represented on the Bayeux tapestry

Receives the banner of St Peter from the Pope to bless his expedition against England

Sets sail for St Valery-sur-Somme but loses some ships blown ashore by a westerly wind. Moves his fleet from Dives to St Valery at the mouth of the River Somme. Receives a banner from the Pope in support of his invasion of England. Builds a fleet at Dives on the River Dives, by August sufficient ships are assembled

William begins organizing ships, supplies and troops for an invasion intended to enforce his claim to England.

William obtains papal support for his campaign, giving his invasion a powerful religious and political justification.

Mercia rebels against Williams victory at the Battle of Hastings

Northumbria rebels against Williams victory at the Battle of Hastings

Constructs Eglise Saint-Etienne

After Edward's death William asks Harold to honour his oath to him, Harold refuses

Edward the Confessor dies, opening the succession crisis in which William asserts his claim to the English throne.

Harold ignores the oath made to William Duke of Normandy in 1064

Harold ignores the oath made to William Duke of Normandy in 1064

Harold Godwinson is crowned king, and William treats the accession as a rejection of his claimed right to succeed Edward.

William gathers ships and troops at Dives while waiting for conditions suitable for crossing the Channel.

Sets sail for St Valery-sur-Somme but loses some ships blown ashore by a westerly wind. Moves his fleet from Dives to St Valery at the mouth of the River Somme

Moves his fleet from Dives to St Valery at the mouth of the River Somme

William transfers the invasion fleet to Saint-Valery-sur-Somme after prolonged delays caused by unfavourable winds.

William establishes defensive works at Hastings while awaiting Harold's approach from the north.

A favourable wind finally allows William's invasion fleet to leave Saint-Valery-sur-Somme for England.

The invasion force sets sail, William leads the fleet out of the harbour in the Mora

William sails aboard the Mora, which leads the invasion fleet across the Channel during the night.

During the morning the invaders are off Beachy Head

Lands at the old Roman castle & harbour at Pevensey. Lands at Pevensey, Sussex without any opposition, he commands a force of about 10,000

William lands unopposed at Pevensey with his army and begins establishing a secure base on the Sussex coast.

William moves his army from Pevensey toward Hastings and secures a stronger operating base.

The invasion force heads off for Hastings where there is an unguarded road to London

Canterbury submits as William advances through Kent after his victory at Hastings.

After the Battle of Hastings Canterbury surrenders without a fight

After the Battle of Hastings Dover surrenders without a fight

Dover submits to William, giving the Normans control of a strategically important Channel port.

William deploys his army below the English position at Senlac with archers, infantry and cavalry arranged for a combined assault.

Marches from Hastings & reaches Telhan Hill 1 mile from Harold. Marches 7 miles from north of Hastings to confront Harold & catch him by surprise. Fields 4,000 Normans, 1,500 Flemings & 2,000 Bretons. Commands the Norman centre. Carries a mace & wears the relics upon which Harold had sworn his oath. Battle commences at 9 am when William orders his archers to fire at the English line

Harold loses his element of surprise & the Normans attack

Harold is killed during the final fighting, and the English army loses the leadership needed to continue organized resistance.

Norman forces exploit English pursuit during retreats and counterattack troops drawn away from the defensive ridge.

William wins the Battle of Hastings, eliminating Harold's field army but not yet securing control of England.

William raises his helmet and rides among his troops after a rumour spreads that he has been killed.

Harold an oath-breaker had lost claim for a decent burial & is buried on the sea-shore

William captures Winchester from Queen Edith

Crosses the Thames at Wallingford & moves to Berkhampstead

Attacks Edgars forces while laying siege to Southwark & moves upstream to Berkshire

William I the Conqueror crosses the Thames at Wallingford & moves to Berkhampstead. Crosses the Thames at Wallingford & moves to Berkhampstead

Cannot attack London directly so decides to surround it

Attacks Edgars forces while laying siege to Southwark & moves upstream to Berkshire

Crosses the Thames at Wallingford & moves to Berkhampstead

Attacks Edgars forces while laying siege to Southwark & moves upstream to Berkshire

Crosses the Thames at Wallingford & moves to Berkhampstead

William crosses the Thames at Wallingford while manoeuvring around London.

Leading English nobles submit to William at Berkhamsted, clearing the way for his accession in London.

Edgar, the Earls of Northumbria & Mercia & the Archbishops of Canterbury & York submit to William I the Conqueror. Edgar, the Earls of Northumbria & Mercia & the Archbishops of Canterbury & York submit

Archbishop Stigand meets William at Wallingford and submits as English resistance around London weakens.

William becomes King of England after his coronation at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day.

Crowned King of England on Christmas day, the 1st coronation in the Abbey

At his coronation William promises to uphold the laws and customs of his new kingdom.

Crowned King of England on Christmas day, the 1st coronation in the Abbey

Eadric "the Wild" attacks Hereford

Eadric "the Wild" attacks Hereford

Sets sail from Pevensey with the white sails of victory

William leaves Odo of Bayeux and William FitzOsbern with major responsibility for governing England during his absence.

William returns to Normandy after judging his position in England secure enough to leave deputies in charge.

Sells the earldom of Northumbria to Gospatric of Bernicia

Exeter rises in revolt

William returns to England as local rebellions threaten Norman authority in several regions.

Canterbury Cathedral burns down

Birth of Henry I, Williams 4th son

Edgar the Aetheling and members of his family flee to Scotland as William strengthens control in northern England.

William establishes a castle at Exeter to secure the city and deter renewed resistance.

William establishes a castle at York to impose royal authority over the strategically important northern city.

Orders the Construction of Lincoln Castle

Norman fortification at Lincoln helps secure William's control of the eastern Midlands.

Orders construction of Neroche Castle near Taunton to subdue the West Country

William marches north in response to resistance associated with Edwin, Morcar and Edgar the Aetheling.

A Norman castle at Nottingham strengthens William's control over routes leading toward northern England.

Makes Robert de Commines Earl of Northumbria

Puts down a revolt in Exeter after 18 days, he pardons their offences

Orders the Construction of Rougemont Castle after putting down the rebellion in Exeter

The citizens of Bristol drive away Harolds son Godwinew

Establishes a motte & bailey fort for securing his lines of supply

William's northern advance is supported by a new castle at Warwick controlling an important route through the Midlands.

Orders the construction of a castle in York

William besieges Exeter for eighteen days before the city submits to royal authority.

Exeter resists William's demands, prompting a royal campaign against the south-western city.

Exeter surrenders after the siege, allowing William to strengthen Norman control in the south-west.

Besieges the rebel city of Exeter & recaptures it

Eldred Archbishop of York crowns Matilda as Queen of England

Eldred Archbishop of York crowns Matilda as Queen of England

William's wife Matilda is crowned Queen of England, reinforcing the legitimacy and public standing of the new dynasty.

Robert de Commines takes control of Durham

Robert de Commines takes control of Durham

Robert de Commines, a Norman Governor, is murdered with 500 of his men

Recaptures York & uses it as a centre for a winter campaign to establish his rule. King Edgar of Scotland is forced back across the border. Routes hundreds of rebels in York, handed over for plunder by his troops

Death of Robert de Commines, a Norman Governor, is murdered with 500 of his men

Mathilda is sent to Normandy for her safety

Edgar the Atheling invades England from Scotland, supported by the Scottish King

Godwine attempts to land with a force of 60 ships off the Devon coast

A Viking fleet led by Asbjorn, son of Danish King Swein, lands in the Humber

The Danes sail up the Humber & start a Saxon uprising

A rebellion in Exeter is suppressed

Maine breaks free from Williams rule

William reinforces York by establishing a second castle after repeated resistance in the city.

Shrewsbury is raised to the ground by Eadric the Wild & Bleddyn of Gwynedd

William recaptures York from Asbjorn who is reluctant to meet him in battle. Edgar "the Atheling" besieges the Norman castle at York but William ambushes him

Orders the construction of a second castle at York

A renewed rebellion at York challenges William's northern garrisons and forces another royal intervention.

A Danish fleet enters the Humber and joins northern English rebels opposing William's rule.

Danish-backed rebels seize York and destroy Norman positions, creating the most dangerous northern challenge to William.

Recaptures York & uses it as a centre for a winter campaign to establish his rule. King Edgar of Scotland is forced back across the border

William begins a devastating campaign across northern England intended to deny food and support to further rebels.

Establishes an HQ in Nottingham before recapturing York

Robert de Commines & his army are massacred by the rebellion in Durham

Robert de Commines takes control of Durham

York rises & kills its castellan

York rises & kills its castellan

Robert de Commines & his army are massacred by the rebellion in Durham

William recaptures York from Asbjorn who is reluctant to meet him in battle

William retakes York and restores Norman control after the Danish-backed occupation.

William founds Battle Abbey as a memorial and act of penance connected with the bloodshed at Hastings.

Chester becomes one of the last Saxon towns to capitulate to William

William backs the replacement of many English bishops and abbots with Norman or continental clergy.

William completes the subjugation of major western resistance by occupying Chester.

William orders a purge of English ecclesiastical institutions. Saxon Bishops are replaced

William builds castil garrisons at Shrewsbury & Stafford to command the Welsh marches

William defeats the rebels

Hereward the Wake sacks Peterborough abbey & retreats to the island of Ely

William builds castil garrisons at Shrewsbury & Stafford to command the Welsh marches

William's forces destroy crops, livestock and settlements to prevent northern rebels and Danish forces from sustaining resistance.

William drives his army across the Pennines during the winter campaign to extend royal control westward.

William supports the removal of Archbishop Stigand during a church council at Winchester.

William secures the departure of Danish forces, reducing the chance of renewed Scandinavian support for English resistance.

William appoints Lanfranc as Archbishop of Canterbury, giving a trusted reformer a central role in church and government.

William concentrates forces against the remaining resistance based in the marshes around Ely.

The rebels, aided by the Dane Jarl Osbiorn, capture York

Creates the Earldoms of Hereford, Chester & Shrewsbury for loyal Normans

William attacks Hereward the Wakes stronghold, Hereward the Wake goes into exile

Puts down the "great uprising of the North" led by Hereward the Wake

Puts down the "great uprising of the North" led by Hereward the Wake

William attacks Hereward the Wakes stronghold, Hereward the Wake goes into exile

Earl Morcar is captured after the collapse of resistance at Ely.

William's forces overcome the rebel position at Ely, ending the last major organized Anglo-Saxon resistance to his rule.

The settlement with Malcolm III requires the Scottish king to stop supporting Edgar the Aetheling against William.

Frustrated by Malcolm IIIs Fabian tactics, agrees peace when Malcolm becomes a vassal

Retaliates for Malcolm IIIs invasion of Northumbria, enters Lothian & reaches Fife

William Invades Scotland reaching Perth, Malcolm III makes peace & becomes a vassal

William leads a coordinated land and sea expedition into Scotland after repeated northern tensions.

Malcolm III accepts terms at Abernethy after William's invasion reaches deep into Scotland.

The settlement is reinforced by the acceptance of Malcolm III's son as a hostage for Scottish compliance.

Retaliates for Malcolm IIIs invasion of Northumbria, enters Lothian & reaches Fife

Retaliates for Malcolm IIIs invasion of Northumbria, enters Lothian & reaches Fife

In the Treaty of Abernethy between William the Conqueror & Malcolm III of Scotland Malcolm pays homage to William

In the Treaty of Abernethy Malcolm III agrees to expel Edgar. In the Treaty of Abernethy between William the Conqueror & Malcolm III of Scotland Malcolm pays homage to William

The French province had revolted in 1069 when William was in England

William recovers Le Mans and re-establishes Norman dominance over Maine.

William returns to Maine after renewed resistance threatens Norman control of the county.

Suppresses the revolt of the Earls of Hereford & Norfolk

In Williams absence, Ralph, his new brother-in-law Roger de Breteuil, 2nd Earl of Hereford, and Waltheof, 1st Earl of Northumberland begin the revolt, but it is plagued by disaster.

Roger de Breteuil and Ralph de Gael rebel while William is in Normandy, creating a serious aristocratic challenge.

William's officers and loyal bishops defeat the revolt before its leaders can unite their forces effectively.

French intervention forces William to abandon the siege of Dol and retreat from Brittany.

Persuaded to abandon the invasion by Philip I. Invades Brittany to capture the Earl of Norfolk

William permits Earl Waltheof's execution for involvement in the revolt of the earls, eliminating a prominent English magnate.

William besieges Dol in Brittany while pursuing Ralph de Gael, one of the leaders of the English revolt.

William reaches peace with King Philip I after the failed Breton campaign and renewed tensions on Normandy's borders.

William secures a truce with Fulk of Anjou, easing pressure on Norman authority in Maine.

William attended the solemn dedication of Bayeux Cathedral built under Odo's episcopate.

William campaigns against supporters of his son Robert as their family dispute develops into armed conflict.

The New Forest is made into a Royal hunting ground

William's eldest son Robert Curthose rebels after prolonged frustration over his lack of independent authority.

Begins construction of the Tower of London starting with the white Tower

Defeated in Normandy by his elder son, Robert Curthose

Robert Curthose's forces defeat William near Gerberoy, exposing serious divisions within the Norman ruling family.

Robert Curthose wants full authority over Normandy & Maine

William besieges Robert Curthose and his allies at Gerberoy during the conflict with his eldest son.

Cannot draw Malcolm III into Battle & agrees a peace at Falkirk

Sends Robert Curthose to repel Malcolm III

Constructs "New Castle" as a defence against the Scots, later becomes Newcastle

Robert Curthose establishes a new fortification at Newcastle during the northern campaign conducted under William's authority.

William rejects the request by Pope Gregory VII for an oath of fealty

William sends Odo of Bayeux north to suppress resistance following the death of Bishop Walcher.

Robert Curthose agrees peace with Malcolm III at Falkirk

William reaches an accommodation with Robert and again acknowledges him as heir to Normandy.

William sends Robert Curthose north, where he campaigns against Malcolm III and pressures Scotland toward renewed terms.

After Malcolm IIIs invasion of Northumbria the Abernethy Treaty is renewed at Falkirk

The killing of Bishop Walcher triggers a northern crisis, prompting William to send forces under Odo of Bayeux.

William leads an expedition into Wales as Norman power expands along the western frontier.

William rejects a papal request that he perform fealty for the kingdom of England.

William reaches St Davids during his Welsh expedition, an event also remembered in Welsh tradition as a pilgrimage.

Arrests his half-brother Bishop Odo who aspires to become Pope

Arrested to "curb his restless ambition" & imprisoned in Rouen Castle until his death

William keeps Odo in confinement after the bishop's arrest, despite Odo's high rank in church and government.

William arrests his half-brother Odo of Bayeux after concluding that Odo's ambitions threaten royal authority.

Suppresses a rebellion led by his eldest son

William's wife Matilda dies at Caen, ending a marriage that had strengthened the Norman dynasty's continental alliances.

Canute allies with the Count of Flanders, Philip of France & Robert Curthose

William brings additional soldiers from the continent as a precaution against the threatened Danish attack.

A threatened invasion by King Cnut IV of Denmark causes William to strengthen England's military preparedness.

To fight off Cnut a tax is raised on landowners & collected by an army of mercenaries

Succeeds as King of England. Canute revives the claim of his father King Swein to the English throne

At his Christmas court in Gloucester, William orders the great inquiry that becomes the Domesday survey.

William orders commissioners to determine landholding, resources and taxable values throughout most of England.

The Royal commissioners oblige landowners to give information under oath

The inquiry records plough teams, meadow, pasture, woodland and other resources that contribute to the value of estates.

A national valuation list, estimating the annual value of all the land in the country, at the time of Edward the Confessor's death, when the new owners received it, at the time of the survey, and the potential value as well for the purposes of taxation.

Reveals England has a population of 1.5 million.

The Domesday Book is in two parts, "Little Domesday" (covering Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex) and "Great Domesday" (covering much of the remainder of England and parts of Wales, except for lands in the north which later became Westmorland, Cumberland, Northumberland, and the County Palatine of Durham but no surveys were

The survey's main purpose is to determine what taxes had been owed during the reign of King Edward the Confessor.

made of the City of London and Winchester, probably due to their tax-exempt status.

Royal commissioners travel through England collecting sworn evidence in local courts for William's national survey.

The survey records who held each estate before the Conquest and who holds it under William.

William's commissioners record past and current estate values to clarify taxation and royal revenue.

A manuscript record of the "Great Survey" of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086 by order of King William the Conqueror

Commissioned to list assets of landowners for taxation & administration

Survey returns for most counties are condensed into the volume later known as Great Domesday.

Detailed returns for East Anglia are preserved in the volume later known as Little Domesday.

Replaces Englands Earls with his supporters. Private wars are outlawed. Meets 170 Tenants-in-Chief & other Lords at Salisbury obtaining an oath of fealty

William uses the Domesday inquiry to improve knowledge of the resources available for taxation and defence.

The Salisbury gathering emphasizes that major landholders owe allegiance to William regardless of intermediate feudal relationships.

On Lammas Day William I summons 170 of his tenants-in-chief and other landowning men of any account to Old Sarum, where they all swore allegiance in person to him and to be faithful against all other men, this establishes feudalism

William summons leading landholders to Old Sarum, where they swear loyalty directly to him.

William attacks Mantes during his final campaign against French pressure on Normandy's frontier.

William becomes gravely ill after the Mantes campaign and is taken toward Rouen for his final days.

The Doomsday book reveals 35% of land is arable, 30% pasture & 15% woodland. Reveals the Church owns 27%, monarchy 17% & immigrant Barons 49% of land value

William launches a counter-offensive in the Vexin after renewed conflict with King Philip I of France.

Buried at the Abbey of St Stephen, Caen

William leaves his youngest son Henry a large monetary inheritance rather than a territorial principality.

Before his death, William orders the release of several prisoners, including his half-brother Odo of Bayeux.

William confirms that his eldest son Robert Curthose is to inherit the Duchy of Normandy.

William allows his son William Rufus to seek the English crown as the king's final illness worsens.

William's death separates Normandy from the English crown, with different sons positioned to inherit the two realms.

Death of William I the Conqueror

The Duchy of Normandy is left to Robert & England is left to William Rufus

William's death ends a reign that transformed English landholding, aristocracy, government and military organization.

Williams sons Robert, William & Henry outlive him

The Duchy of Normandy is left to Robert & England is left to William Rufus