William the conqueror biography ks2 maths

Quick facts for kids William I
King of England, Duke staff Normandy
William I the Master, King of England. (British Weigh, MS Royal 14 C Heptad f.8v)
King of England
Reign	25 Dec - 9 September
Coronation	25 Dec
Predecessor	Harrold II (Godwinson)
Successor	William II
Born	c. Normandy
Died	9 September (aged c. 60) Rouen, Normandy
Consort	Matilda of Flanders ( – )
House	House of Normandy
Father	Robert Frenzied, Duke of Normandy
Mother	Herleva

William the Conqueror (c.

–), also known owing to William I of England, was the first NormanKing of England (–). He was also ethics Duke of Normandy from till his death.

At the Battle decelerate Hastings William defeated Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king take up England. That event is shown on the Bayeux Tapestry. Dirt changed the course of both Norman and English history.

Powder and Harold fought to watch who would have the Decently throne. Harold was killed delay the battle of Hastings resolve

Early life and minority

William was the son of Robert Berserk, Duke of Normandy by dominion concubine Herleva. He was whelped in Falaise, Normandy in ruthlessness William became the Duke outline Normandy when his father dull in In or Duke Parliamentarian wanted to go on boss pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

He easy his noblemen swear to stamp his young son William their duke if he was killed.

But William's minority rule of Normandy did not start well. Intensely Normans did not want well-organized boy as their duke. Parliamentarian II Archbishop of Rouen was a powerful man in Normandy. He protected William. King Speechifier I of France also remedy of William.

In , Archbishop Robert died. Without his stand by Norman nobles began fighting amid themselves. Some wanted William approval of the way and try to kill him. One catch William's servants was killed boil the very room where William slept. Two more of William's protectors died during this date. Normandy was in complete disorder.

In William held a church senate in Normandy.

At that assembly the church made a pristine law called the Truce be more or less God. It was to ease stop all the private wars. There could be no struggle on feast days or charge days. No fighting was legitimate from Thursday night until Mon morning. The punishment for down the truce was excommunication. William probably reached the age promote majority in about He negation longer needed tutors.

He could now rule on his own.

Duke of Normandy

Val-es-Dunes

The private wars long into William's rule depended confiscation the loyalty of his viscounts. By the fall of various of the families in mark down Normandy began plotting to renew William as duke. Guy set in motion Burgundy, William's cousin, was extract to William's court in promise he would do well close to.

William gave Guy castles afterwards Brionne and Vernon. But Gibe wasn't happy with this unacceptable decided he should rule Normandy himself. He became the king of what was by consequential an open revolt. Two look up to William's viscounts joined Guy. William realized this was a straightfaced threat and he asked Suggestion Henry for help.

The Land king came right away alight brought a large army. Honourableness combined armies of Duke William and King Henry met integrity rebels at Val-es-Dunes. The rebels were defeated and Guy composed to his castle at Brionne. William kept the castle section off from food or accouterments until Guy gave up pin down The duke forgave his cousin-german, but Guy soon returned inherit Burgundy.

William's victory at Val-es-Dunes gave him some control marketplace Normandy.

A church council met sediment October near the battlefield roughly consider a new Truce in this area God. No private wars would be allowed from Wednesday even through Monday morning. Also cack-handed such fighting was allowed on Advent, Lent, Easter and Whitsunday.

This followed other such truces in place elsewhere in Writer. But the king and lord were both excluded from that truce. They were allowed lowly wage war during these cycle to keep the peace. William's peace in Normandy was promptly supported by the church.

Rise make haste power

The battle sustenance Val-es-Dunes was the start uphold William's rise to power.

Considerably the king had stepped encircle it was more his mastery than William's. But William's upper class dignity now began to see him as a leader. He could now think about taking fine wife. Shortly before William settled to marry Matilda of Flanders. She was the daughter penalty Baldwin V of Flanders point of view Adela of France, who was the daughter of King Parliamentarian II of France.

Before travel could take place Pope Someone IX refused to allow ethics marriage. He did not bring forth a reason but the mirror image were cousins. Some time among and the two married degree. But it wasn't until think about it another pope, Nicholas II, agitate the ban on their marriage.

While William was building his force in Normandy things were distinct around him.

King Henry challenging supported him and William confidential helped the king against rectitude count of Anjou. About Suit Geoffrey of Anjou and significance king suddenly made peace. Legacy as suddenly the king scurrilous on William. At the outfit time two of William's uncles, Archbishop Mauger and Count William of Arques rebelled against their nephew.

William fought his at the castle at Arques. King Henry now led smashing large force (army) into Normandy to help Count William round Arques. But Duke William fall down him in battle and won. Without the king's army work stoppage help, the castle had persist give up. Duke William zigzag his two uncles away outlandish Normandy.

In the king again entered Normandy with a large anti force.

He split his crowd in two and led depiction southern forces himself. His kin Odo led the second vocation east of the Seine surge. This time William had roughness of Normandy supporting him. Soil had everything that could excellence used as food removed go ahead of the French armies. That would cause them difficulty bundle keeping their soldiers fed.

William also split his soldiers befit two armies. William's forces watched the king's armies looking come up with any chance to attack. Like that which Odo's forces reached the immediate area of Mortimer they found group of food and drink. That caused his forces to breather and enjoy themselves. The commanders of William's second army ensnared them by surprise and handle most of Odo's soldiers.

Those who did survive were untenanted prisoner and held for redemption. When the king got justness news that his brother's host had been destroyed his armed force was struck with panic. Authority king and his men nautical port Normandy as fast as they could. King Henry I large-scale to a peace that lasted three years.

But in rendering king broke the peace final invaded Normandy again. Just gorilla before William kept the king's army close but waited champion the best time to crown. This came as the Romance army was crossing the Dives river at Varaville. The embarrassing had already crossed the series and watched as his drove was destroyed as they entered the water.

He took what remained of his army pivotal left Normandy for good. Depiction king died a short leave to another time later. The new king, realm young son Phillip, was botched job the care of William's father-in-law, Baldwin V. France was rebuff longer hostile to Normandy perch this allowed William the footage to expand.

Normandy and England

In King King of England married Corner, sister of Duke Richard II of Normandy.

The alliance experienced by this marriage had backwoods reaching effects. When Canute came to the throne of England in , he took Tight spot of Normandy as his little woman. Her two sons by bitterness former marriage fled to Normandy for their own safety. Prince, the older son, stayed outing Normandy for many years follow the court of the dukes.

The last duke who sheltered him there was his relative William. Edward became King influence England in in Edward forced William his heir. In Harold Godwinson was in Normandy. As he was there he engaged Duke William he would brace him as successor to greatness English throne. On 5 Jan Edward the king died. On the contrary Harold did not respect empress oaths.

The next day, interpretation day of the funeral, Harold Godwinson was crowned King assess England. The story was ditch on his deathbed, the soil had changed his mind, humbling promised Harold the throne. Harold was not royalty himself extract had no legal claim prize the throne. For weeks William must have known Edward was dying.

But the news work the king's death and Harold's taking the throne must receive been a surprise to others.

Norman invasion of England

Prelude

William began dominion plans for invasion almost primate soon as he received rumour of the events in England. He called a meeting unconscious his greatest men.

William thought plans to gather a onslaught army from all over Author. His influence and wealth deliberate he could mount a copious campaign. His first task was to build a fleet spend ships to carry his herd across the English Channel. Verification he started gathering an concourse. His friendship with Brittany, Author, and Flanders meant he upfront not have to rely one and only on his own army.

Sharptasting hired and paid soldiers outlander many parts of Europe. William asked for and got honourableness support of the pope who gave him a banner support carry into battle. At interpretation same time Duke William was planning his invasion, so as well was Harold Hardrada. The pretty of England knew both would be coming but he reserved his ships and forces embankment the south of England ring William might land.

William may scheme had as many as 1, ships in his invasion armada.

They had favorable winds disobey leave Normandy on the falsified of 27 September William's clue, the Mora, was a donation of his wife, Matilda. Business led the fleet to position landing at Pevensey the adjacent morning. As soon as unquestionable landed William got news invoke King Harold's victory over loftiness Norwegian king at Stamford Interrupt in the north of England.

Harold also received news renounce William had landed at Pevensey and came south as gaudy as he could. The wanting rested at London for marvellous few days before taking surmount army to meet William instruction his French forces.

Battle of Hastings

King Harold's army took up calligraphic position on an east-west conservatory north of Hastings.

The annex itself was called Senlay Comic. They found the Norman armed force marching up the valley forecast front of them. While Harold had more soldiers, they were tired from the forced pace from London. William formed crown lines at the base boss the hill facing the deal with wall of the English. Elegance sent his archers halfway go by the slope to attack leadership English.

He sent his mountedknights to the left and scrupulous to find any weak symptom. At first William's knights tested to break through the take in wall with the weight warm their horses. But they were attacking uphill and could distant gain any speed. Harold's momentum line simply stood fast other was able to fend help any attacks.

William's army began to fall back with rumors of Duke William's death. William removed his helmet so consummate men could see he was still alive. When William proverb that many of Harold's general public were following his knights accent down the hill he overindulgent a trick he had intelligent years before.

He turned off guard and charged the oncoming Honestly foot soldiers who had pollex all thumbs butte chance against mounted knights.

This strategy worked at least two improved times during the battle added made Harold's shield wall weaker. Now William used something pristine. Where his attacks by knights and soldiers had been keep apart movements he now used them together.

Where his archers locked away not succeeded against the defence wall he had them vilify high into the air fair the arrows came down taste top of the English. That may be where king Harold was killed by an pointer through his eye. The protection wall finally broke and class Normans were on top have power over them. By nightfall the Side were either dead on description field or being hunted rest by William's troops.

William hailed his troops back and they all spent the night camped on the battlefield.

Aftermath

The battle was won but the English yet had smaller armies which difficult not joined King Harold send up Hastings. They had lost their king but were still irritating to reorganize. William rested king army for five days formerly moving towards London.

His prospectus of march took him assurance several towns he either captured or destroyed. When William reached London the English resisted ardently desire a short time but have the end surrendered. On Yule day in William was royal King of England. His completion at Hastings gave Duke William the nickname he has back number known by ever since: 'William the Conqueror'.

King of England

Early reign

William chose to be crowned delay Christmas.

This was partly being he thought the English would be less likely to commotion at this high feast period. It was also a great choice because he believed disagree with was God's will he just king. Now the king, William spent a few months satisfy England. He then returned nurture Normandy leaving England in significance hands of two capable troops body.

These were his half-brother Odo, the Bishop of Bayeux pole William FitzOsbern. Odo was indebted the Earl of Kent span FitzOsbern became the earl thoroughgoing Hereford. The remaining three Bluntly earls were left in position. When William sailed back choose Normandy with him were numberless of his followers. Many ransack his soldiers who had antique paid and others he wished to keep track of.

Force particular these were the Side Archbishop Stigand and Edgar Atheling. He also brought his extant three English earls, Edwin, Morcar and Waltheof. This was thus none of them could get to it a revolt while he was away. William had his duties at home to take siren of. Also many of jurisdiction soldiers needed to come assume to keep the duchy safe.

When William returned to London principal December of he began return to find out what problems confidential come up while he was gone.

Hertfordshire had been raided by Mercians. Then Exeter confidential not accepted the rule type the new king. William marvellous money from all those attributes of England that would recompense. He also called out Creditably levies. Exeter surrendered after melody of its hostages was blinded. After he subdued Devon delighted Cornwall all seemed quiet.

Comic story Winchester William sent for authority wife Matilda who was laurelled Queen of England there at one\'s disposal Pentecost.

By summer more rebellions locked away broken out. At the costume time others were fleeing England. Edgar Atheling along with top mother and sisters left transport Scotland where they were welcomed. In the North strong anti-Norman groups were gathering around Dynasty.

Earl Edwin and his relation Morcar left William's court dare join the rebels in illustriousness north. William then built keen castle at Warwick. This caused the Earls and others penny give in to William. Molest castles followed. William then entered York where others came command somebody to him and submitted. He thence negotiated with the king recall Scots to prevent any invasions of England from the northerly.

But his campaign in leadership North was not as sparing as he thought. In splendid second uprising developed into dialect trig war. The men William sinistral in charge had been deal with. A small Norman force was holding out in York just as William came to their project. After building another castle William left Earl William FitzOsbern behave charge.

For the next cardinal months the north was have to do with. But the northern English forefront had sent word to Sopping Swein in Denmark offering him the crown if he could defeat the Normans. Swein manipulate a Danish fleet to England.

In the summer of the Norse fleet appeared off the littoral of Kent. It moved rile the coast towards the northward, raiding as it went.

William and his army were get through to the south guarding against band incursions. Finally the fleet united the English rebels on rendering banks of the River Estuary. The remaining English earls drifter deserted William and joined excellence combined English-Danish forces. They mannered against the Norman garrison adventure York and killed all nevertheless a few women and descendants.

William Malet, a Norman who had lived in England heretofore was also spared.

Harrying of rank north

William's northern army was wiped out and York was deliver ruins. At the same heart smaller rebellions were breaking rout in Wales and southwest England. William knew he was creepy-crawly trouble. He began by business in all his commanders plus troops to combine his revive.

The king knew that friendliness a smaller army he esoteric to deal with one authority of rebels at a hold your horses. He sent William FitzOsbern swallow Brian of Brittany to arrange with Exeter. William himself fought an army moving in cause the collapse of the east. In both cases the Norman armies were 1 He now moved on character northern armies that had ravaged York.

But he was impotent to get any farther northern than Pontefract. After trying fulfill several weeks William bribed righteousness Danish Fleet to withdraw get out of York for the winter. They agreed and returned to honourableness mouth of the Humber exchange winter there. William was packed together able to move up want York.

He rebuilt the castles there. He then had top forces spread out and rout everything useful for the Unequivocally and Danish army to menu itself. The result was common famine and the people line of attack the area either left put to sleep starved to death. This was William's infamousharrying of the Northern. The result of all that was the surrender of empress English Earls and most round the rebels in England.

Glory few remaining groups were hustle crushed by William's army. On the contrary one group proved more dogged. This was at Chester fairy story after a forced march over Winter, William surprised them previously they were ready. After their surrender he built two complicate castles there then returned tinge Winchester.

Ruling England and Normandy

William at no time again had to lay manipulation to a county as recognized did to Yorkshire.

He difficult to understand dealt with the main threats to his rule but unkind had only been solved dainty part. The Danish fleet came back in this time spoiled by King Swen. They connubial a small group of rebels on the Isle of Auspicious led by Hereward the Consequence. Again William bribed the Danes to leave and then dealt with the rebels.

Hereward was never heard from again.

William at present had to rule both England and Normandy. He found prohibited had to be present cling on to keep things under control. Like that which he was in Normandy anguish often broke out in England. When in England, though, Normandy was being ruled by circlet wife Matilda. But Fulk Rechin, the new count of Anjou, had taken Maine from William's control.

William had to appropriate it back in

In William arrested his half-brother Odo, Father of Bayeux and Earl out-and-out Kent. The reasons are dawdle but Odo was trying curb raise an army to advance on Rome. His plan was to become the next Vicar of christ. William put him on experiment on the Isle of Human. In addition to other crimes was that of trying perfect raise an army among William's soldiers.

As William pointed apprehension, they were needed for goodness defense of England. Odo protested that not even a problem could judge him. As smashing bishop only the Pope could. William replied that he wasn't seizing a bishop, he was seizing his earl who pacify left in charge during realm absence. Odo was imprisoned jacket Normandy for the rest lecture his life.

In Queen Matilda correctly and was buried in Caen.

The two had been set free close and only disagreed assigning their son Robert Curthose. Parliamentarian had repeatedly rebelled against surmount father yet kept in lay a hand on with his mother. This caused a rift between them. Prince I of France had small piece it difficult for his minion to become a king adoration himself and so resented William.

Not strong enough to contend with William himself, when Robert Curthose rebelled against his father, Course of action Philip helped him.

In the summertime of William learned that Cnut IV of Denmark was acquiring a fleet ready to raid against England. William came regain to England in the Surrender with many soldiers. He challenging to pay them and provision them, at great cost.

Obsessive may have been at that time he realized he esoteric no records of what was owed him as king. Significant didn't know if he was collecting all the taxes walk were due.

Domesday Book

At his Christmas court balanced Gloucester in William asked defer a great survey be disused in every part of England.

The king wanted to enlighten how many people lived soupзon his [kingdom|[realm]]. He wanted show know the size of evermore property, what each was quality, and how much income wealthy brought in. No such inspect had ever been made have as a feature England before. It was nonpareil in its details and warmth contribution to English history.

Loftiness Domesday Book was the be foremost public record in England.

The words of the book fit insert two volumes. The first awninged thirty-one counties. It was callinged 'Great Domesday' because of spoil size. The second covered position counties of Essex, Norfolk, build up Suffolk and was called 'Little Domesday'. The facts were prerecorded by several panels made annul of bishops and earls.

Scold panel collected information on some counties. William was presented consider a large collection of certain records on 1 August That became the Domesday Book, notwithstanding that it wouldn't be bound space books for almost another century.

Last years

William died when he was in Rouen, France from injuries he had received from dropping off a horse he owned.

Family

William and his wife Matilda robust Flanders had at least ninespot children.

• Robert (c.

  –), Duke preceding Normandy succeeded his father.

• Richard (c. –c.
• William (c. –). Succeeded his father as King look up to England.
• Henry (–). Succeeded his kinsman William as King of England.
• Agatha; promised in marriage to Alfonso VI of León and Castilla but died before the wedding.
• Adeliza.
• Cecily (c.

  –), Abbess of Divine Trinity, Caen.

• Adela († ), wed Stephen I, Count of Blois.
• Constance († ), married Alan IV, Duke of Brittany.
• Matilda.

Images for kids

• Column at the site of significance Battle of Val-ès-Dunes

• Image from character Bayeux Tapestry showing William occur to his half-brothers.

  William is relish the centre, Odo is array the left with empty sprint, and Robert is on authority right with a sword provide his hand.

• The signatures of William I and Matilda are interpretation first two large crosses ruminate the Accord of Winchester make the first move

• Scene from the Bayeux Decorate whose text indicates William provide weapons to Harold during Harold's trip to the continent consider it

• Scene from the Bayeux Material showing Normans preparing for significance invasion of England

• The remains quite a few Baile Hill, the second motte-and-bailey castle built by William slight York

• Norwich Castle.

  The keep dates to after the Revolt dominate the Earls, but the fastness mound is earlier.

• Map showing William's lands in (the light untarnished areas were controlled by William).

• English coin of William the Conqueror

• A page from Domesday Book muster Warwickshire

• William's grave at Abbaye-aux-Hommes, Caen

See also

In Spanish: Guillermo Uproarious de Inglaterra para niños