Early Life and Rise to Power
William was born around 1028 in Falaise, Normandy, the illegitimate son of Duke Robert I of Normandy and Herleva, a woman of relatively low status. Despite his illegitimacy, he was named heir to the duchy and became Duke of Normandy in 1035 upon his father's death. His early rule was marked by instability, rebellion, and the constant threat of assassination. However, William proved to be a shrewd and ruthless leader, consolidating his power and suppressing revolts by the time he reached adulthood.
By the 1050s, William had established himself as a powerful ruler in Normandy. His marriage to Matilda of Flanders further strengthened his political alliances and broadened his influence on the European stage.
The Road to 1066: Claim to the English Throne
The seeds of William’s English ambitions were sown during the reign of King Edward the Confessor of England, who had close Norman connections and no direct heir. William claimed that Edward had promised him the English throne and that Harold Godwinson, the powerful Anglo-Saxon nobleman, had sworn an oath to support his claim.
When Edward died in January 1066, Harold was crowned king, prompting William to prepare for war. Viewing Harold’s coronation as both treacherous and illegitimate, William assembled a formidable invasion fleet with the blessing of the Pope and the support of continental allies. shutdown123