William the Conqueror:
First English King
Dominique Joyner Period 3 March 10, 2013
William the Conqueror was the first Norman king of England. During the time of his reign as Duke and King, William I strengthened the relationship between the English and the French. William the Conqueror’s conquests improved the prosperity of both England and France. William I was born 1027 in Falaise, Normandy. He is the illegitimate child of Herleva of Falaise and Robert I, Duke of Normandy. Due to Herleva’s modest lifestyle as a tanner’s daughter, it was decided that she would not be accepted as the Duke’s wife. Robert I did arrange the marriage between Herleva and a favored nobleman, Herluin de Conteville. From that marriage were born 4 more children, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, Count Robert of Mortain, Emma, and another unnamed daughter. Robert I had another illegitimate child, with a different mistress, Adelaide of Normandy. Since Robert had only one son, he had his lords, barons, and counts swear loyalty to William as his heir. In 1035 Robert left for the crusades, leaving William to assume his position as Duke of Normandy. Robert’s departure for the crusades led to his death and a decade of turmoil in …show more content…
From establishing his name as Duke to conquering England, from silencing his rivals to building connections between Church and government, William the Conqueror accomplish many things during his lifetime. During his rule, William the Conqueror was able to connect England and France without merging the two countries but simply making both countries similar in different areas. William the Conqueror changed the English government and Church so that they were the same as the ones in his French territories. Enforcing his power in both countries improved the prosperity of England and France because he was able to successfully govern both