1	William 1 ‘The Conqueror’ Rebecca C. Period 1 2005-2006
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3	William’s Childhood Born in 1027. Illegitimate son of Robert, Duke of Normandy and Herleva of Falaise. Dad died on pilgrimage when William was 8.
4	William’s New Title Originally was known as William the Bastard. After Robert’s death, William inherited father’s title. Several leading Normans became William’s guardians. Including Gilbert of Brionne, Osbern the Seneschal and Alan of Brittany.
5	The Plot to Kill William Many of the Norman barons wouldn’t accept William as new leader. 1040, plan was made to kill William by Normans. Norman’s plan failed but did manage to kill guardians.
6	William’s New Responsibilities Began to govern Normandy in 1045. 2 years later, lords of duchy rebelled but William defeated them. 1051 William visited Edward the Confessor, claimed he promised him he would become his heir.
7	William’s Wife 1053, William married Matilda of Flanders. Daughter of Count Baldwin of Flanders. Over the next 16 years, William and Matilda had 9 children.
8	Freeing Harold 1064, Harold of Wessex was in ship wreck on coast of Ponthieu. Captured by Count Guy of Ponthieu and imprisoned. William demanded Harold's release into his care. Went to battle with Conan of Brittany together.
9	A New Knight For his role in capture of Dinan, Harold was knighted. Harold took an oath to help William become king when Edward died. Harold agreed to marry William’s daughter (Eadmer). William gave Harold half of his realm.
10	A New King Edward became ill. Harold claimed Edward promised him the throne before his death in 1066. Meeting at Witan to decide who became next king. The Witan decided Harold would be the next king.
11	Remember ? William heard that Harold was the new King, he was angry. Sent message to Harold, reminding him of the oath. Harold said it was his duty since the Witan chose him.
12	This Means War!!
13	This Means War!! William began to prepare for war. Had a meeting with his barons at Lillebonne. Sent Gilbert to gain permission from Pope Alexander II to go to war. Action was apposed by many cardinals. Alexander II finally agreed. He sent William his blessings.
14	Brother vs. Brother William was visited by Tostig (Harold’s brother). Tostig offered to help him against Harold. 1066, Tostig landed at Isle of Wright. Demanded citizens to give him money and provisions. Sailed north with 60 ships to Humber. Driven away by Morcar.
15	Plundering After being in Scotland, Tostig went to Denmark. Asked cousin, King Sweyn, to help him against Harold. (refused) Went to Norway to meet King Hardrada to see if he would help him. (agreed) 300 ships entered Humber, defeated Morcar’s army and took York.
16	Surprise, Surprise! September 24, Harold’s army arrived at Tadcaster. Took Tostig and Hardrada at Stamford Bridge. Norwegians had taken off their byrnies. Hardrada and Tostig were killed. Less than 25 ships returned out of 300.
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18	"William finished making preparations for..." William finished making preparations for his attack, Harold was fighting Hardrada. He asked men/soldiers from Poitou, Burgundy, Brittany, Flanders, Germany, Denmark, Italy. Promised them part of his land and wealth. Had the Pope’s support.
19	"Negotiations took all summer." Negotiations took all summer. Arranged the building of ships for army. 700 ships, ready in August, waited for wind direction to change. Departed on August 27^th. Traveled at night. Normans landed at Pevensey Bay, next day.
20	On the go! Harold fortified camp at Hastings. At York when heard news of William. Assembled housecarls who survived Stamford Bridge, marched south. Many troops failed to keep up. Arrived in London on October 5^th. Waited for troops of Earl of Mercia and of Northumbria to arrive from the north.
21	Take my advice Gyrth (Harold’s brother), offered to lead his army against William. Gyrth advised, that king Harold shouldn’t risk getting killed. Harold rejected advice. 5 days later he decided to head for S. coast without northern troops.
22	Where to hide? Unable to take William by surprise. Positioned himself at Senlac Hill, protected by marshy land on each side flank. Rear, a group of trees. Near ditch and palisade. Housecarls provided shield for Harold’s army. Carried battle axes, were known as the toughest fighters in Europe.
23	Positions everyone! Fyrds were behind housecarls. Leaders of fyrds, thegns had swords and javelins. The rest were inexperienced fighters. Carried weapon such as iron-studded clubs, scythes, slings, reaping- hooks, hay-forks.
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25	How many people will be in the battle? No accurate number of soldiers who were in Battle of Hastings. Historians estimate William had about 5,000 infantry. 3,000 knights. Harold had about 2,500 housecarls. 6,000 members of fyrd. Fight started Oct. 14. William reminded men he had not ever lost a battle.
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27	Ready, aim, fire! 9:00am Norman archers walked up hill. 100 yards away from Harold’s army, fired first batch of arrows. Using shields, housecarls blocked most of the attack. Norman infantry then charged up hill.
28	Heavy English losses English held firm, Normans forced to retreat. Members of fyrd broke ranks and chased after Bretons. William ordered cavalry to attack English who left positions on Senlac Hill. English losses heavy. Few managed to return to top of hill.
29	New Tactics 12:00, break in fighting for an hour. Gave a chance for both sides to remove dead and wounded from battlefield. William decided to change his tactics. 1 :00pm ordered archers forward.
30	Attack!! Fire higher in air. Change in direction caught English by surprise. Followed by cavalry charge. Losses on both sides heavy. Gyrth and Leofwine (Harold’s brothers) killed. Normans retreated. Fyrd chased Flemings down hill. William’s men killed many men. English losses heavy.
31	Working together William decided to take a rest. Lost quarter of cavalry. Many horses killed, ones left exhausted. Decided knights should attack on foot. All Normans battled together. Archers fired arrows, knights and infantry charged up hill.
32	Harold the Deceased Heavy English casualties. Front line shorter. Normans could now attack from side. Few housecarls left. Forced to form small circle around English standard. Normans broke through shield wall. Harold and most housecarls killed.
33	Body in gold Harold’s mother, Gytha, sent a message to William. Offered weight of kings body in gold. If he allowed her to bury it. William refused. Declared he would be buried on shore of land he sought to guard.
34	March!! William’s army marched to Dover, stayed for week. Went north to Canterbury before arriving at London. Met resistance in Southwark. As revenge, set fire to area. Londoners refused to submit to William. Turned away, marched through Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.
35	Crowned king By end of year, London submitted to William. December 25^th, 1066, William crowned king of England. Aldred, Archbishop of York. Westminster Abbey.
36	The land William claimed all land in England now belonged to him. Morcar and Earl of Northumbria were allowed to redeem their land. As a grant from William for not fighting him.
37	Why did William only get 1/5 of his own land? Retained only one fifth of land for own use. Rest was distributed to those who help defeat Harold. Under feudal system the 170 barons had to provide armed men on horseback.
38	Dividing the land Number of nights a baron had to provide depended on the amount of land he was given. Leading Norman landowners installed by William. Odo of Bayeux, Robert of Mortain, William Fitz Osbern, Geoffrey of Coutances, and Richard Fitz Gilbert.
39	Organizing 1067, William and his army went on a tour of England. Organized confiscating lands. Built castles. Established law and order. Appointed half-brother Odo of Bayeux and William Fitz Osbern as co-regents. William went to Normandy in March of 1067.
40	Disturbances, Rebellions, What Next? Disturbances broke out in Kent, Herefordshire, and in the north of the country while William was away. William returned to England in December of 1067 and over next few months, rebellions were put down. 1068, another insurrection, led by Harold’s sons, took place in Exeter. Again he defeated the rebels. Afterwards, William built castles in Exeter and other key towns. Including Durham which was a scene of rebellion in 1069.
41	Raids Raids on the north led by King Sweyn of Denmark. September 1069, Sweyn’s fleet sailed into Humber. Burnt York. William’s army forced Danes to retreat. Crushed another uprising in Staffordshire. He then burnt crops, houses and peoples property living between York and Durham. Revolt came to end when William’s troops captured Chester in 1070. Chroniclers claimed the area was turned into desert and people died of starvation.
42	Reorganizing the Church Reorganized the Church. Lanfranc became new Archbishop of Canterbury. 3 other bishops deposed. 1070, only 2 sees were occupied by English bishops. Appointed well educated men of good character to these posts.
43	Yet Another Revolt 1071, revolt broke out. Led by Hereward, rebels captured Isle of Ely. William personally led Norman army. Punished the rebels with mutilation and lifelong imprisonment. Built a new castle at Ely.
44	While You Were Out 1076, returned to Normandy. Conquered Maine. While he was gone Waltheof and Ralph, Earl of Norfolk conspire against him. Geoffrey of Coutances led fight against uprising. Ordered that all rebels had their right foot cut off.
45	Murder 1076, on his return, Waltheof was executed. The only time capital punishment was inflicted on an English leader during his reign. Earl of Norfolk managed to escape
46	Oh, I Just Can’t Wait To Be King!! 1077, Robert Curthose suggested he should become ruler of Normandy and Maine. William refused. Robert rebelled and attempted to seize Rouen. Rebellion failed. Robert was forced to flee and established himself at Gerboni. 1080, William besieged him there. Matilda managed to persuade them to end their feud.
47	Brotherly Love Odo of Bayeux was left in control of England while William was in Normandy. 1082, heard complaints of Odo’s behavior. William returned to England. Odo was arrested Charged with misgovernment and oppression. Found guilty. Kept in prison for next 5 years.
48	Will the rebellions ever stop? 1083, William had to put down rebellions led by Hubert de Beaumont. Maine 2 years later, returned to England. Suspected invasion by King Cnut of Denmark. Waited for an attack. Decided to order a comprehensive survey of his kingdom.
49	What where the 3 main reasons why William decided to order the survey? It helped William discover how much the people could afford to pay tax. It helped him know about the distribution of the population to help plan his defense system. Since there was a great deal of doubt on who owned some land, it would help him figure out who owned what.
50	The Domesday Book William sent officials everywhere in England. Asked questions about ownership of land, animals, farm equipment, value of the land and how it was used. Information was sent to Winchester where it was recorded in a book. 100 years later in became known as the Domesday Book. Domesday means “day of judgment”.
51	The meeting Survey was completed in 7 months. Arranged meeting with all the big landowners at Salisbury. August 1, 1086 Made them swear they would always obey him.
52	William the Obese William became very fat in his later life. 1087, King Phillip of France described William as looking like a pregnant woman. William was furious. Mounted and attacked the kings territory. On August 15 he captured Mantes and set fire to the town. William fell from his horse. Suffered internal injuries.
53	My Heir Is… William was taken to priory of St. Gervase. He directed that Robert Curthose should succeed him in Normandy. William Rufus should become king of England. He ordered his wealth should be distributed between the church and the poor.
54	Death William died on September 9, 1087. Buried at Caen, Normandy ( France today) His body was broken as it was lowered into the sepulcher. Made too short.
55	Fun Facts! Mr. Smith is a descendant of William the Conqueror! William was so fat that when he was squeezed into his coffin he burst! It sent everyone running for the doors because of the stench. William slapped, stripped and hit his wife because she was in love with another man.
56	William’s Memorial
57	Sites & Cites William http://www.secretsofthenormaninvasion.com/part11.htm http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/MEDwilliam1.htm http://www.royal.gov.uk/OutPut/Page18.asp http://www.britainexpress.com/History/William_the_Conqueror.htm