William of Normandy

Also known as: Earl William / King William / William / William Earl of Normandy / William the earl / William, the earl Of Normandy · Family: Normans · Role: earl of Normandy · First appears: A.D. 1052 · part 2

In 1051 and 1052, William came from Normandy with a large company of Frenchmen, and Edward son of Ethelred received him and let him depart. In 1066, as Edward’s cousin, William came to England and landed at Pevensey. He defeated Harold son of Godwin at Appledore and Hastings, where Harold and his brothers Girth and Leofwine son of Godwin were slain; William subdued England.

At Berkhampstead, Aldred, Edgar Etheling, Earl Edwin, Morkar and London’s leaders submitted, exchanging hostages and oaths. Aldred consecrated William king at Westminster on midwinter’s day. William imposed tribute and took hostages, and in Lent went over sea to Normandy with Stigand, Aylnoth, Edgar, Edwin, Morkar, Waltheof and other Englishmen. After accusing Abbot Brand of renouncing him, William was reconciled with the abbot, who paid him forty marks of gold.

In 1070, Waltheof agreed with William, and William and Sweyne, King of Denmark (d. 1076) were reconciled; in 1071, Morkar surrendered. In 1072, Malcolm made peace with William, gave hostages and became his man. William granted Edgar friendship in 1074, but in 1075 seized and imprisoned Earl Roger (A.D. 1075), his relative, and had Waltheof seized; Waltheof was beheaded the following year. William gave the abbacy of Westminster to Vitalis in 1076.

In 1079, William’s son Robert of Normandy fought him at Gerberoy, wounded him in the hand, and killed his horse; Tookie Wiggodson, who brought another horse, was killed there. William seized Odo in 1082. In 1086 he dubbed his son King Henry a knight, and at Sarum the important landholders of England became his vassals and swore allegiance. In 1087 he made war on Philip, his lord, and burned Mante. William died in Normandy and was buried at Caen. His son Robert succeeded him in Normandy, William son of William took the crown in England, and Henry received immense treasure; William also confined his brother Odo in prison.