Birth of William I the Conqueror
Birth of William I the Conqueror, illegitimate son of Duke Robert of Normandy
Role range: 1066-1087
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
William I the Conqueror Biography and Timeline
Follow William I the Conqueror through 277 dated historical records for England.
William I the Conqueror, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
277Distinct records
1 of 7Page
1027–1064Years on this page
1027
1035
Recognition as Duke of Normandy
William is recognized as Duke of Normandy after the death of his father, Robert I.
Role range: 1035-1087
Succession
Succeeds as Duke of Normandy
Role range: 1066-1087
Death of William I the Conqueror
Death of Robert, Williams father, nobles contest Williams succession to the Duchy
Role range: 1066-1087
Rebellion of Rebels in Normandy
Norman nobles rebel when William becomes Duke of Normandy because he is illegitimate
Role range: 1035-1087
1037
Guardianship of Normandy
William remains under noble guardianship while rival factions compete for influence in the duchy.
Role range: 1035-1087
1042
Knighthood
King Henry I of France knights the young William, strengthening his standing among the Norman aristocracy.
Role range: 1035-1087
1046
Revolt of Guy of Burgundy
A coalition led by Guy of Burgundy challenges William's rule and forces him to seek support from King Henry I.
Role range: 1046-1047 – 1035-1087
1047
Victory at Val-es-Dunes
William and Henry I defeat the rebel coalition at Val-es-Dunes, greatly strengthening William's control of Normandy.
Role range: 1046-1047 – 1035-1087
Battle of Val-es-Dunes
With the aid of Henry I defeats nobles attempting to usurp Williams claim to Normandy
Role range: 1066-1087
1049
Capture of Mouliherne
Captures the castle of Mouliherne near Angers
Role range: 1035-1047 – 1066-1087
1051
Succession
Visits Edward the Confessor, 1st cousin once removed, claims he is promised the throne. Succeeds as King of England
Role range: 1066-1087
Capture of Domfront
Captures the castle of Domfront from Geoffrey of Martel
Role range: 1035-1047 – 1066-1087
1052
Rebellion of William of Arques
William of Arques rebels against the duke, creating a new challenge to William's authority in eastern Normandy.
Role range: 1052-1054 – 1035-1087
1053
Alliance with Flanders
William's marriage to Matilda of Flanders strengthens political ties between Normandy and the powerful county of Flanders.
Role range: 1035-1087
Marriage
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
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of Arques
William contains the rebellion at Arques and prevents French support from overturning his rule.
Role range: 1052-1054 – 1035-1087
1054
Birth of Robert Curthose
Has a son Robert Curthose, future Duke of Normandy
Role range: 1066-1087
Battle of Mortemer
William's supporters defeat one wing of the French invasion at Mortemer, forcing Henry I to abandon the campaign.
Role range: 1054-1054 – 1035-1087
French Invasion of Normandy
King Henry I and Geoffrey Martel invade Normandy in separate columns to weaken William's growing power.
Role range: 1054-1054 – 1035-1087
Capture of Ambrieres
Captures the fortification of Ambrieres
Role range: 1035-1047 – 1066-1087
Peace
Henry I is forced to agree a humiliating peace with William, Duke of Normandy
Role range: 1035-1047 – 1066-1087
Siege of Aumale
William sets fire to Aumale & slaughters the French soldiers. Henry I retreats from Normandy
Role range: 1035-1047 – 1066-1087
1055
Birth of 2nd son
Has a 2nd son
Role range: 1066-1087
1056
Birth of William II Rufus
Has a 3rd son, the future William II Rufus
Role range: 1066-1087
1057
Peace
Henry I never enters Normandy again. Henry I agrees a humiliating peace with William of Normandy
Role range: 1035-1047 – 1066-1087
Rule of Normandy
Henry I agrees a humiliating peace with William of Normandy
Role range: 1035-1047 – 1066-1087
Siege of Caen
Henry Is army is massacred by William Duke of Normandy after leaving Caen
Role range: 1035-1047 – 1066-1087
Battle of Varaville
William attacks the French army as it crosses the Dives at Varaville and inflicts a damaging defeat.
Role range: 1057-1057 – 1035-1087
1059
Marriage
Pope Nicholas II lifts the Papal ban on William I marrying Matilda
Role range: 1066-1087
1060
Norman Position Strengthened
The deaths of Henry I and Geoffrey Martel remove two major external threats to William's control of Normandy.
Role range: 1035-1087
1062
Maine Succession Crisis
The death of Count Herbert II creates a succession dispute that allows William to press Norman claims in Maine.
Role range: 1062-1063 – 1035-1087
1063
Capture of Maine
Captures Maine
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of Le Mans
Le Mans surrenders to William
Role range: 1066-1087
Succession
Succeeds as King of England
Role range: 1066-1087
Siege of Mayenne
The fortification of Mayenne is stormed but Geoffrey of Mayenne manages to escape
Role range: 1066-1087
Occupation of Le Mans
William secures Le Mans during his campaign to impose Norman authority over the county of Maine.
Role range: 1062-1063 – 1035-1087
1064
Claim Reinforced by Harold's Oath
William later presents Harold's disputed oath as evidence that Harold had promised to support his succession to England.
Role range: 1035-1087
Shipwreck
Harold II, then Earl of Wessex, is shipwrecked off Normandy at Ponthieu
Role range: 1066-1087
Succession
Harold II swears an oath to William & supports his claim to the throne of England
Role range: 1066-1087
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.