Guillaume I William the Conqueror

Christianed 1066 in Norman Conquest as an adult

Left in protective hands of Gilbert de Brionne when his father left to fight the Crusades. When word was brought of his father's death, Gilbert was killed, along with Alan III Duke of Brittany and his tutor, Thurold Osbern the Seneschal. He was murdered with a knife in Le Vaundreuil castle while he slept. What the murderer didn't realize was that the boy William was sleeping in the same bed next to him.

1035 Became Duke of the duchy of Normandy at age 7 or 8

1045 William returned to his home in Falasie with a band of loyal followers, rallied enough support based on the loyalty of the locals to his father to take back his castle from Toustain the Dane.

1046 William's cousin, Guy of Brionne plotted to kill William, but the plot was discovered by William's jester, Gollet, who was possibly performing in Bayeux when he overheard their plans. He immediately left and rode to William in Valognes where William was intending to spend the night. William appealed to King Henry I for support as the king had promised to care for the boy during Robert's penance.

??? Battle at Val-es-Dunes, William was victorious and immediately knighted by the king. Guy of Brionne was captured but later released and exiled to Burgundy.

1051 Godwin exiled to France, William visited Edward the Confessor in England, where the words took place that indicated William woul dbe next inline for the throne of England.

1053 ish William approached Count Baldwin of Flanders, for the hand of his daughter, Matilda. Matilda flatly refused, saying that she would rather be a nun than to marry a bastard. William immediately rode to the Counts castle in Lille and a meeting with her. When she again refused, legend has it that he gave her a good beating but they were married and remained faithful to each other until William's death in 1087.

The church (Pope Leo IX) excommunication both of them based on the fact they were distant cousins. William's loyal friend Lanfranc became the prior of Bec in 1045 and after the Norman Conquest, Archbishop of Canterbury in 1070. Lanfranc managed to persuade the new Pope Nicholas II to rescind the order. For absolution, William was ordered to build a monastery and nunnery in Caen, now known as the Abbaye-aux-Hommes and the Abbaye-aux-Dames. He was also ordered to build a number of hospitals in various locations. William and Matilda had 4 sons and 4 daughters. Robert Shorthose, William Rufus, Henry Beauclerc, Richard, Constance, Adelisa, Adelaide and Adela.

1052 William invaded Maine

1054 King Henry I suddenly annulled the treaty made between Charles the Simple and Rollo in 911, supported by Angevins and Gauls who invaded Normandy. William crossed his border and captured those responsible. He was now possibly the most powerful man in France beneath the king.

1062 William had increased the size of his kingdom by capturing the area known as Maine to the south.

1064 Guy I of Ponthieu sent word to William he had captured Duke Harold Godwinson, son of Godwine, the future king of England. William would not pay Guy a ransom for Harold but used disguised threats which seemed to work, as Harold was handed over to him. Missing an oath here, made by Harold to William.

1066 Jan 5 - Edward the Confessor died, and supposedly on his death bed, he said to  Harold Godwinson, son of Godwin, “ I commend my wife to your care and with her my whole kingdom .“ Harold was promptly crowned King of England.

Contesting for the throne was:
William Duke of Normandy
Harald Hardrada, King of Norway
Sweyn Estridson, grandson of Svein Forkbeard
Edgar Aetheling, the son of Edmund Ironside (only 12, not a serious contender)

William rallied his allies fora counsel of war at Lillebonne, including William VI of Poitou, Robert de Mortain, Richard d'Evereux, Roger de Beaumont, but the intent of war was met unwillingly. William procured the blessing of Pope Alexander II (reluctantly) and the papl banner, and naming the vendetta a 'crusade', thus gathering support with ease, even verbal support from Germany and Denmark.

For the remaining notations for 1066, see The Battle of Hastings. I admit it, I am hooked. Wonderful coverage of the battle is at http://www.battle1066.com/battle.shtml

1066 Edgar Atheling was elected king, William was prevented from crossing the Thames, at London so he sacked Southwark and crossed at Wallingford, and Edgar submitted at Berkhamshire. London was taken from the north in the battle of Ludgate Hill where countless Londoners died.

1066 Dec 25 William was crowned in Westminster Abbey, the ceremony was conducted by Ealdred, the archbishop of York.

1086 - created the Domesday book, the first census, a listing of all people for the purpose of taxation. The Oath of Salisbury made all vassals directly responsible to the crown. The Great Council, meeting three times a year, replaced the Anglo Saxon Witan.