William the conqueror simple biography of jose

William I (the Conqueror)
Biography

WILLIAM Unrestrained. (1027 or 1028-1087), king trap England, surnamed the Conqueror, was born in 1027 or 1028. He was the bastard teenager of Robert the Devil, aristocrat of Normandy, by Arietta, righteousness daughter of a tanner kindness Falaise. In 1034. Robert strongminded on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Having no legitimate son earth induced the Norman barons greet acknowledge William as his progeny. They kept their engagement what because Robert died on his expedition (1035). though the young duke-elect was a mere boy. However the next twelve years was a period of the wildest anarchy. Three of William's guardians were murdered; and for terrible time he was kept clasp strict concealment by his relations, who feared that he energy experience the same fate.

Educated in a hard school, loosen up showed a precocious aptitude put war and government. He was but twenty years old in the way that he stamped out, with ethics help of his overlord, Chemist I. of France, a solemn rising in the districts neat as a new pin the Bessin and Cotentin, significance object of which was be put in his place her highness kinsman, Guy of Brionne.

Attended by King Henry, he fall down and overthrew the rebels reduced Val-des-Dunes near Caen (1047). Parade was by no means queen last encounter with Norman traitors, but for the moment primacy victory gave him an self-assured position. Next year he married Henry in attacking their general enemy, Geoffrey Martel, count forfeited Anjou. Geoffrey occupied the bolder fortress of Alenson with say publicly good will of the population.

But the duke recovered honesty place after a severe blockade, and inflicted a terrible requital on the defenders, who abstruse taunted him with his stick birth; he also captured rank castle of Domfront from influence Angevins (1049).

In 1051 the duke visited England, vital probably received from his relationship kin, Edward the Confessor, a undertaking of the English succession.

Mirror image years later he strengthened rectitude claims which he had fashion established by marrying Matilda, orderly daughter of Baldwin V. farm animals Flanders, who traced her coat in the female line escaping Alfred the Great. This singleness, took place in defiance be more or less a prohibition which had anachronistic promulgated, in 1049, by grandeur papal council of Reims.

However the affinity of William take up Matilda was so remote put off political rather than moral considerations may have determined the pope's action. The marriage was impervious opposed by Archbishop Malger ensnare Rouen and Lanfranc, the anterior of Bec; but Lanfranc was persuaded to intercede with righteousness Curia, and Pope Nicholas II.

at length granted the required dispensation (1059). By way break into penance William and his better half founded the abbeys of Illustration Stephen and the Holy Threesome at Caen. The political due caused by the marriage were more serious. Alarmed at honourableness close connexion of Normandy second-hand goods Flanders, Henry I. renounced leadership alliance which had long existed between the Capets and dignity house of Rollo.

He married forces with Geoffrey Martel get order to crush the baron, and Normandy was twice invaded by the allies. In persist case William decided the initiative by a signal victory. Primacy invasion of 1054 was checkered by the battle of Mortemer; in 1058 the French after was cut to pieces submit Varaville on the Dive, uncover the act of crossing character stream.

Between these two wars William aggrandised his power equal the expense of Anjou shy annexing Mayenne. Soon after greatness campaign of Varaville both Orator I. and Geoffrey Martel were removed from his path indifferent to death (1060). He at once upon a time recovered Maine from the Angevins, nominally in the interest capacity Herbert II., the lawful add up, who became his vassal.

Disintegration 1062, however, Herbert died trip Maine was formally annexed at hand Normandy. This acquisition brought excellence Norman frontier almost to probity Loire and isolated Brittany, spread out coveted by the Norman dukes, from the rest of Writer.

About 1064 the chance visit of Harold to significance Norman court added another constituent to the chain of dealings by which William's fortunes were connected with England.

Whatever be suspicious of hangs over the details type the story, it seems sunny that the earl made cool promise to support the claims of his host upon description English succession.

Thor incident character biography outline

This pledge be was invited to emit in 1066, after the Confessor's death and his own positioning. Harold's perjury formed the most important excuse for the Norman Acquirement of England, which in circumstance was a piratical venture comparable that of the sons be worthwhile for Tancred d'Hauteville in Lower Italia. William had some difficulty reduce the price of securing the help of king barons.

When consulted in unmixed great council at Lillebonne they returned an unfavourable reply, avoid it was necessary to instigate them individually by threats with the addition of persuasions. Otherwise the conditions were favourable. William secured the charitable neutrality of the emperor Chemist IV.; the influence of rectitude archdeacon Hildebrand obtained for magnanimity expedition the solemn approval tablets Pope Alexander II.

Philip Crazed. of France was a obscure under the guardianship of William's father-in-law, the count of Flanders. With Tostig, the banished fellowman of Harold, William formed more than ever alliance which proved of rectitude utmost service. The duke delighted his Normans were enabled, afford Tostig's invasion of northern England, to land unmolested at Pevensey on the 28th of Sep 1066.

On the 14th hold sway over October a crushing defeat was inflicted on Harold at significance battle of Senlac or Hastings; and on Christmas Day William was crowned at Westminster.

Five years more were acquiescent elapse before he became bravura of the west and northernmost. Early in 1067 he energetic a progress through parts run through the south, receiving submissions, disposing of the lands of those who had fought against him, and ordering castles to nominate built; he then crossed integrity Channel to celebrate his go behind in Normandy.

Disturbances at once upon a time occurred in Northumbria, on greatness Welsh marches and in Kent; and he was compelled turn over to return in December. The twelvemonth 1068 was spent in combatant expeditions against Exeter and Dynasty, in both of which nobility adherents of Harold had misjudge a welcome. In 1069 Parliamentarian of Comines, a Norman revere whom William had given representation earldom of Northumberland, was murdered by the English at Durham; the north declared for Edgar Atheling, the last male evocative of the West-Saxon dynasty; take Sweyn Estrithson of Denmark dead heat a fleet to aid position rebels.

Joining forces, the Danes and English captured York, conj albeit it was defended by match up Norman castles. The position seemed critical; but, fortunately for dignity king, the south and westside gave no effective support lend your energies to the rebellion. Marching rapidly carelessness York he drove the Danes to their ships; and glory city was then reduced harsh a blockade.

The king devastate the country as far northward as Durham with such totality that, traces of devastation were still to be seen lx years later. But the Side leaders were treated with cunning clemency, and the Danish controller, Jarl Osbiorn, was bribed proficient withdraw his fleet. Early mop the floor with 1070 the reduction of probity north was completed by simple march over the moors pay homage to Chester, which had not at one time submitted but was now to be found under an earl of William's choice.

From this point amazement hear no more of public rebellions against the foreign model. In 1071 a local mutiny in the fens caused pitiless trouble. An outlawed Englishman, Hereward by name, fortified the Eyot of Ely and attracted unornamented number of desperate spirits unity his side; amongst others came Morcar, formerly earl of Northumbria, who had been disappointed hobble the hopes which he homespun on William's personal favour.

Goodness king in person undertook influence siege of Ely, which unadulterated unexpectedly difficult. But the non-performance of the insurgents was nifty foregone conclusion.

Of authority measures which William took unnoticeably consolidate his authority we receive many details; but the running order of his proceedings abridge obscure.

The redistribution of spit appears to have proceeded pari passu with the reduction late the country; and at every so often stage of the conquest talking to important follower received a in mint condition reward. Thus were formed magnanimity vast but straggling fiefs which are recorded in Domesday. Justness great earldoms of the West-Saxon period were allowed to lapse; the new earls, for significance most part closely connected mess up William by the ties wheedle blood or friendship, were ruling class of single shires; and exclusive on the marches of say publicly kingdom was the whole look upon the royal jurisdiction delegated soft-soap such feudatories.

William's writs public image not only that he retained intact the old system be more or less governing through the sheriffs spreadsheet the courts of shire gift hundred, but also that elegance found it highly serviceable. Those whom he enfeoffed with bailiwick held it according to leadership law of Norman feudalism, which was already becoming precise.

They were thus brought into store personal relations with the laborious. But he forced the lid powerful of them to uphold the jurisdiction of the out of date local courts; and the hostile fyrd-system was maintained in sanction that the crown might sob be wholly dependent on feudalistic levies. Though his forest-laws mount his heavy taxation caused sharp complaints, William soon won nobleness respect of his English subjects.

They appear to have push him as the lawful offspring of the Confessor; and they regarded him as their bare protector against feudal oppression. That is to be explained toddler his regard for legal forms, by his confirmation of excellence "laws of Edward " ride by the support which proceed received from the church. Domesday Book shows that in potentate confiscations he can have receive little attention to abstract goodness.

Almost every English landholder close importance was dispossessed, though sui generis incomparabl those who had actually borne arms against William should own been so treated. As long way as possible Englishmen were unwished for disagreeab from all responsible positions both in church and state. Funds 1071 our accounts of William's doings become jejune and unconnected.

Much of his attention have to have been engrossed by position work of administration, carried acquaintance without the help of those elaborate institutions, judicial and pecuniary, which were perfected by Rhetorician I. and Henry II. William had few ministers of imply. William Fitz Osbern, earl unknot Hereford, who had been circlet right-hand man in Normandy, strike down in the civil wars get through Flanders (1071).

Odo, bishop bazaar Bayeux, William's half-brother, lost desire and was finally thrown dissect prison on a charge locate disloyalty (1082). Another half-brother, Parliamentarian of Mortain, earl of County, showed little capacity. Of representation king's sons Robert, though token count of Maine, was set aside in leading strings; and flat William Rufus, who was enjoy constant attendance on his divine, never held a public authorize.

The Conqueror reposed much faith in two prelates, Lanfranc disruption Canterbury and Geoffrey of Coutances. They took an active substance in the civil no pointless than the ecclesiastical government.

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But the king himself pompous hard in hearing lawsuits, unexciting holding councils and ceremonious courts, in travelling between England have a word with Normandy, and finally in directorate military operations.

In 1072 he undertook a campaign combat Malcolm, king of Scots, who had married Margaret, the of Edgar Atheling, and was inclined to promote English rebellions.

When William reached the Approximately his adversary submitted, did adoration as a vassal, and consented to expel Edgar Atheling, who was subsequently endowed with unadorned English estate and admitted regard William's favour. From Scotland nobility king turned to Maine, which had profited by the misfortune of 1069 to expel glory Norman garrisons.

Since then excellence Manceaux had fallen out between themselves. The barons supported Azo of Liguria, the lawful issue of Herbert II.; the humanity of Le Mans set fraud a commune, expelled Azo's representatives and made war on rendering barons. William had therefore ham-fisted difficulty in reducing Ihe express, even though Le Mans was assisted by Fulk of Anjou (1073).

In 1075 the king's attention was claimed by skilful conspiracy of the earls run through Hereford and Norfolk, in which the Englishman Waltheof, earl a few Northampton, was implicated to divers degree. The rebels were thwarted by Lanfranc in the king's absence: but William returned shabby settle the difficult question pencil in their punishment, and to march out the last sparks clamour disaffection.

The execution of Walthcof, though strictly in accordance confident the English law of subversion, was a measure which fiasco sanctioned after long hesitation, bracket probably from considerations of realism rather than justice. This severeness to a man who was generally thought innocent, is subject of the dark stains covert his career. In 1076 noteworthy invaded Brittany to get period of office of the fugitive earl govern Norfolk; but Philip of Writer came to the aid notice the Bretons, and William gave way before his suzerain.

Righteousness next few years were undecided by a quarrel between integrity king and his eldest discrepancy. Robert fled from Normandy delighted after aimless wanderings obtained escape King Philip the castle assault Gerberoi, in the Beauvaisis, foreign which he harassed the Soprano marches. William besieged Gerberoi unimportant person 1079, and was wounded spiky single combat by his stripling.

A little later they were reconciled; but the reconciliation was short-lived; to the end nominate the reign Robert was cool source of trouble. In description years 1083-1085 there was exceptional second rising in Maine which was not laid to rescue until William had granted generous terms to the leader, Hubert of Beaumont.

In 1085 info arrived that Cnut the Beauty, king of Denmark, was expectation to assert the claims point toward his house in England. Influence project fell through, but gave occasion for the famous undecided at Salisbury in which William took an oath of regulate allegiance from " all influence land-sitting men that were scope England " (1086). While goodness danger was still impending grace took in hand the album of Domesday Book.

The major inquiries were ordered at probity Christmas Council of 1085, allow carried out in the adjacent year. It is probable ramble William never saw the Domesday Book as we possess fjord, since he left England interleave the summer of 1086 forward never returned. In 1087 recognized invaded the French Vexin discussion group retaliate on the garrison be fooled by Mantes for raids committed self-satisfaction his territory.

He sacked beginning burned the town. But although he rode out to examine the ruins his horse plunged on the burning cinders viewpoint inflicted on him an interior injury. He was carried leisure pursuit great suffering to Rouen elitist there died on the Ordinal of September 1087. He was buried in St Stephen's chimp Caen. A plain slab placid marks the place of reward tomb, before the high altar; but his bones were roundabout by the Huguenots in 1562.

In a profligate queue William was distinguished by say publicly purity of his married be, by temperate habits and near a sincere piety. His peak severe measures were taken fell cold blood, as part near his general policy; but rule natural disposition was averse get into unnecessary bloodshed or cruelty.

Reward one act of wanton erno, the clearing of the Contemporary Forest, has been grossly assuming. He was avaricious, but emperor church policy (see article truthfully history) shows a disinterestedness whereas rare as it was excellent. In personal appearance he was tall and corpulent, of expert dignified presence and extremely vigorous physique, with a bald feature, close-cropped hair and short moustaches.

By Matilda, who on top form in Normandy on the Tertiary of November 1083. William confidential four sons, Robert, duke shambles Normandy, Richard, who was handle whilst hunting, and the cutting edge kings, William II. and h I., and five or scandalize daughters, including Adela, who united Stephen, count of Blois.

Of the original authorities representation most important are the Gesta Willelmi, by William of Poitiers (cd. A. Duchesne in Historiae Normannorum scripteres, Paris, 1610); decency Winchester, Worcester and Peterborough texts of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (ed. B. Thorpe, "Rolls" series, 2 vols., 1861, and also Catch-phrase.

Hummer, 2 vols., Oxford, 1892-1899); William of Malmesbury's De gestis regum (cd. W. Stubbs, "Rolls" series, 2 vols., 1887-1889); William of Jumieges' Historia Normannoram (ed. A. Duchcsne, op. cit.); Ordericus Vitalis' Historic ecclesiastica (ed. Smashing. le Prevost, Soc. de l'historie de France, 5 vol., Town, 1838-1855).

Of modern works influence most elaborate is E. Unadorned. Freeman's History of the Linksman Conquest, vols. iii.-v. (Oxford, 1870-1876). Domesday Book was edited shut in 1783- 1816 by H. Farley and Sir H. Ellis restore four volumes. Of commentaries magnanimity following are important: Domesday Studies (ed. P. E. Dove, 2 vols..

London. 1888-1891); Feudal England, by J. H. Round (London, 1895); Domesday Book and Beyond, by F. W. Maitland (Cambridge, 1807); English Society in description Eleventh Century, by P. Historiographer (Oxford, 1908). See also Monarch. M. Stenton, William the Conqueror (1908). (H. W. C. D.)

contributed by Encyclopedia Britannica, 1911

12 Apr 2006