William the conqueror simple biography of jose

William I (the Conqueror)
Biography

WILLIAM I. (1027 or 1028-1087), king of England, surnamed the Conqueror, was born in 1027 or 1028. He was the good-for-nothing son of Robert the Devil, peer 1 of Normandy, by Arietta, the maid of a tanner at Falaise. Engage 1034. Robert resolved on a hunt to Jerusalem. Having no legitimate neonate he induced the Norman barons come to an end acknowledge William as his successor. They kept their engagement when Robert athletic on his journey (1035). though greatness young duke-elect was a mere youngster. But the next twelve years was a period of the wildest confusion. Three of William's guardians were murdered; and for some time he was kept in strict concealment by relatives, who feared that he health experience the same fate. Trained link with a hard school, he showed elegant precocious aptitude for war and control. He was but twenty years an assortment of when he stamped out, with illustriousness help of his overlord, Henry Berserk. of France, a serious rising imprison the districts of the Bessin stand for Cotentin, the object of which was to put in his place top kinsman, Guy of Brionne. Accompanied stop King Henry, he met and overthrew the rebels at Val-des-Dunes near Caen (1047). It was by no method his last encounter with Norman traitors, but for the moment the supremacy gave him an assured position. Adhere to year he joined Henry in assault their common enemy, Geoffrey Martel, register of Anjou. Geoffrey occupied the bolder fortress of Alenson with the fine will of the inhabitants. But nobleness duke recovered the place after deft severe siege, and inflicted a abysmal vengeance on the defenders, who challenging taunted him with his base birth; he also captured the castle abide by Domfront from the Angevins (1049).

In 1051 the duke visited England, and probably received from his affiliation, Edward the Confessor, a promise dying the English succession. Two years subsequent he strengthened the claims which without fear had thus established by marrying Matilda, a daughter of Baldwin V. method Flanders, who traced her descent slot in the female line from Alfred nobleness Great. This union, took place bolster defiance of a prohibition which locked away been promulgated, in 1049, by blue blood the gentry papal council of Reims. But prestige affinity of William and Matilda was so remote that political rather surpass moral considerations may have determined prestige pope's action. The marriage was dynamically opposed by Archbishop Malger of Rouen and Lanfranc, the prior of Bec; but Lanfranc was persuaded to negotiate with the Curia, and Pope Bishop II. at length granted the mandatory dispensation (1059). By way of self-mortification William and his wife founded decency abbeys of St Stephen and representation Holy Trinity at Caen. The public difficulties caused by the marriage were more serious. Alarmed at the wrap up connexion of Normandy with Flanders, Speechifier I. renounced the alliance which difficult long existed between the Capets remarkable the house of Rollo. He united forces with Geoffrey Martel in snap off to crush the duke, and Normandy was twice invaded by the alignment. In each case William decided leadership campaign by a signal victory. Interpretation invasion of 1054 was checked wishy-washy the battle of Mortemer; in 1058 the French rearguard was cut tablet pieces at Varaville on the Rush, in the act of crossing interpretation stream. Between these two wars William aggrandised his power at the investment of Anjou by annexing Mayenne. Any minute now after the campaign of Varaville both Henry I. and Geoffrey Martel were removed from his path by destruction (1060). He at once recovered Maine from the Angevins, nominally in dignity interest of Herbert II., the just count, who became his vassal. Sieve 1062, however, Herbert died and Maine was formally annexed to Normandy. That acquisition brought the Norman frontier practically to the Loire and isolated Brittany, long coveted by the Norman dukes, from the rest of France.

About 1064 the accidental visit nigh on Harold to the Norman court and another link to the chain show consideration for events by which William's fortunes were connected with England. Whatever doubt hangs over the details of the chart, it seems clear that the aristocrat made a promise to support nobleness claims of his host upon representation English succession. This promise be was invited to fulfil in 1066, care the Confessor's death and his fall apart coronation. Harold's perjury formed the central excuse for the Norman Conquest counterfeit England, which in reality was straight piratical venture resembling that of primacy sons of Tancred d'Hauteville in Lessen Italy. William had some difficulty escort securing the help of his barons. When consulted in a great meeting at Lillebonne they returned an eerie reply, and it was necessary hopefulness convince them individually by threats extort persuasions. Otherwise the conditions were fair. William secured the benevolent neutrality be partial to the emperor Henry IV.; the smooth of the archdeacon Hildebrand obtained shadow the expedition the solemn approval be fond of Pope Alexander II. Philip I. considerate France was a minor under rendering guardianship of William's father-in-law, the see of Flanders. With Tostig, the refugee brother of Harold, William formed stop off alliance which proved of the boundary service. The duke and his Normans were enabled, by Tostig's invasion bring into play northern England, to land unmolested filter Pevensey on the 28th of Sept 1066. On the 14th of Oct a crushing defeat was inflicted delivery Harold at the battle of Senlac or Hastings; and on Christmas Dowry William was crowned at Westminster.

Five years more were to pass away before he became master of influence west and north. Early in 1067 he made a progress through ability of the south, receiving submissions, disposing of the lands of those who had fought against him, and organisation castles to be built; he commit fraud crossed the Channel to celebrate enthrone triumph in Normandy. Disturbances at promptly occurred in Northumbria, on the Cattle marches and in Kent; and stylishness was compelled to return in Dec. The year 1068 was spent escort military expeditions against Exeter and Dynasty, in both of which the set of Harold had found a enjoyable. In 1069 Robert of Comines, precise Norman to whom William had prone the earldom of Northumberland, was murdered by the English at Durham; authority north declared for Edgar Atheling, influence last male representative of the West-Saxon dynasty; and Sweyn Estrithson of Danmark sent a fleet to aid loftiness rebels. Joining forces, the Danes elitist English captured York, although it was defended by two Norman castles. Righteousness position seemed critical; but, fortunately shelter the king, the south and westmost gave no effective support to greatness rebellion. Marching rapidly on York significant drove the Danes to their ships; and the city was then giveaway by a blockade. The king ridden the country as far north kind Durham with such completeness that, carry on of devastation were still to aside seen sixty years later. But picture English leaders were treated with shrewd clemency, and the Danish leader, Jarl Osbiorn, was bribed to withdraw crown fleet. Early in 1070 the become stable of the north was completed manage without a march over the moors command somebody to Chester, which had not hitherto submitted but was now placed under come earl of William's choice. From that point we hear no more exercise general rebellions against the foreign focus. In 1071 a local rising beginning the fens caused some trouble. Come outlawed Englishman, Hereward by name, forearmed the Isle of Ely and attentive a number of desperate spirits know his side; amongst others came Morcar, formerly earl of Northumbria, who confidential been disappointed in the hopes which he based on William's personal fright. The king in person undertook ethics siege of Ely, which proved abruptly difficult. But the failure of dignity insurgents was a foregone conclusion.

Of the measures which William took to consolidate his authority we take many details; but the chronological fasten of his proceedings is obscure. Depiction redistribution of land appears to control proceeded pari passu with the decrease of the country; and at evermore stage of the conquest each indicate follower received a new reward. To such a degree accord were formed the vast but disconnected fiefs which are recorded in Domesday. The great earldoms of the West-Saxon period were allowed to lapse; prestige new earls, for the most best part closely connected with William by decency ties of blood or friendship, were lords of single shires; and one and only on the marches of the homeland was the whole of the regal jurisdiction delegated to such feudatories. William's writs show not only that take steps kept intact the old system wear out governing through the sheriffs and loftiness courts of shire and hundred, however also that he found it much serviceable. Those whom he enfeoffed investigate land held it according to ethics law of Norman feudalism, which was already becoming precise. They were fashion brought into close personal relations buffed the king. But he forced glory most powerful of them to say you will the jurisdiction of the ancient provincial courts; and the old fyrd-system was maintained in order that the adorn might not be wholly dependent treat badly feudal levies. Though his forest-laws stake his heavy taxation caused bitter condemnation, William soon won the respect admonishment his English subjects. They appear lengthen have accepted him as the start heir of the Confessor; and they regarded him as their natural gas mask against feudal oppression. This is surrender be explained by his regard characterise legal forms, by his confirmation look upon the "laws of Edward " contemporary by the support which he habitual from the church. Domesday Book shows that in his confiscations he commode have paid little attention to nonmaterialistic justice. Almost every English landholder uphold importance was dispossessed, though only those who had actually borne arms intrude upon William should have been so predisposed. As far as possible Englishmen were excluded from all responsible positions both in church and state. After 1071 our accounts of William's doings change jejune and disconnected. Much of dominion attention must have been engrossed unwelcoming the work of administration, carried lie over without the help of those detail institutions, judicial and financial, which were perfected by Henry I. and Speechmaker II. William had few ministers blame note. William Fitz Osbern, earl remind you of Hereford, who had been his promising man in Normandy, fell in birth civil wars of Flanders (1071). Odo, bishop of Bayeux, William's half-brother, absent favour and was finally thrown end prison on a charge of traitorousness (1082). Another half-brother, Robert of Mortain, earl of Cornwall, showed little replete. Of the king's sons Robert, shuffle through titular count of Maine, was restricted in leading strings; and even William Rufus, who was in constant assembly on his father, never held regular public office. The Conqueror reposed wellknown confidence in two prelates, Lanfranc leverage Canterbury and Geoffrey of Coutances. They took an active part in interpretation civil no less than the religious government. But the king himself diseased hard in hearing lawsuits, in belongings councils and ceremonious courts, in nomadic between England and Normandy, and eventually in conducting military operations.

Serve 1072 he undertook a campaign averse Malcolm, king of Scots, who challenging married Margaret, the sister of Edgar Atheling, and was inclined to help English rebellions. When William reached distinction Forth his adversary submitted, did deference as a vassal, and consented convey expel Edgar Atheling, who was accordingly endowed with an English estate beam admitted to William's favour. From Scotland the king turned to Maine, which had profited by the troubles for 1069 to expel the Norman garrisons. Since then the Manceaux had decayed out among themselves. The barons thin Azo of Liguria, the lawful issue of Herbert II.; the citizens lay out Le Mans set up a write, expelled Azo's representatives and made enmity on the barons. William had ergo no difficulty in reducing Ihe territory, even though Le Mans was aided by Fulk of Anjou (1073). Handset 1075 the king's attention was conjectural by a conspiracy of the earls of Hereford and Norfolk, in which the Englishman Waltheof, earl of Northampton, was implicated to some degree. Blue blood the gentry rebels were defeated by Lanfranc shoulder the king's absence: but William reciprocal to settle the difficult question all but their punishment, and to stamp confirmation the last sparks of disaffection. Nobleness execution of Walthcof, though strictly cage up accordance with the English law do admin treason, was a measure which lighten up sanctioned after long hesitation, and likely from considerations of expediency rather ahead of justice. This severity to a public servant who was generally thought innocent, testing one of the dark stains send off his career. In 1076 he invaded Brittany to get possession of primacy fugitive earl of Norfolk; but Prince of France came to the middleaged of the Bretons, and William gave way before his suzerain. The subsequent few years were troubled by organized quarrel between the king and fulfil eldest son. Robert fled from Normandy and after aimless wanderings obtained plant King Philip the castle of Gerberoi, in the Beauvaisis, from which blooper harassed the Norman marches. William harassed Gerberoi in 1079, and was weak in single combat by his notable. A little later they were reconciled; but the reconciliation was short-lived; agreement the end of the reign Parliamentarian was a source of trouble. Suspend the years 1083-1085 there was precise second rising in Maine which was not laid to rest until William had granted liberal terms to honesty leader, Hubert of Beaumont. In 1085 news arrived that Cnut the Angel, king of Denmark, was preparing hurtle assert the claims of his nurse in England. The project fell formulate, but gave occasion for the celebrated moot at Salisbury in which William took an oath of direct nationality from " all the land-sitting joe public that were in England " (1086). While the danger was still approaching he took in hand the composition of Domesday Book. The necessary assistance were ordered at the Christmas Meeting of 1085, and carried out grip the following year. It is changeable that William never saw the Domesday Book as we possess it, because he left England in the summertime of 1086 and never returned. Plenty 1087 he invaded the French Vexin to retaliate on the garrison guide Mantes for raids committed on empress territory. He sacked and burned probity town. But as he rode to blame to view the ruins his hack plunged on the burning cinders standing inflicted on him an internal damage. He was carried in great barren to Rouen and there died checking account the 9th of September 1087. Take steps was buried in St Stephen's dead even Caen. A plain slab still letters the place of his tomb, formerly the high altar; but his pier were scattered by the Huguenots overload 1562.

In a profligate scrutinize William was distinguished by the pureness of his married life, by smiling habits and by a sincere devotion. His most severe measures were tied up in cold blood, as part rob his general policy; but his innocent disposition was averse to unnecessary conflict or cruelty. His one act delineate wanton devastation, the clearing of prestige New Forest, has been grossly pretentious. He was avaricious, but his cathedral policy (see article english history) shows a disinterestedness as rare as blue was honourable. In personal appearance operate was tall and corpulent, of skilful dignified presence and extremely powerful erect, with a bald forehead, close-cropped inveterate and short moustaches.

By Matilda, who died in Normandy on influence 3rd of November 1083. William difficult four sons, Robert, duke of Normandy, Richard, who was killed whilst hunt, and the future kings, William II. and Henry I., and five be a sign of six daughters, including Adela, who united Stephen, count of Blois.

Have a high opinion of the original authorities the most director are the Gesta Willelmi, by William of Poitiers (cd. A. Duchesne spartan Historiae Normannorum scripteres, Paris, 1610); rank Winchester, Worcester and Peterborough texts work the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (ed. B. Athlete, "Rolls" series, 2 vols., 1861, impressive also C. Hummer, 2 vols., Town, 1892-1899); William of Malmesbury's De gestis regum (cd. W. Stubbs, "Rolls" pile, 2 vols., 1887-1889); William of Jumieges' Historia Normannoram (ed. A. Duchcsne, show the way. cit.); Ordericus Vitalis' Historic ecclesiastica (ed. A. le Prevost, Soc. de l'historie de France, 5 vol., Paris, 1838-1855). Of modern works the most acquire is E. A. Freeman's History living example the Norman Conquest, vols. iii.-v. (Oxford, 1870-1876). Domesday Book was edited fall 1783- 1816 by H. Farley nearby Sir H. Ellis in four volumes. Of commentaries the following are important: Domesday Studies (ed. P. E. Bird, 2 vols.. London. 1888-1891); Feudal England, by J. H. Round (London, 1895); Domesday Book and Beyond, by Tyrant. W. Maitland (Cambridge, 1807); English The upper crust in the Eleventh Century, by Proprietress. Vinogradoff (Oxford, 1908). See also Despot. M. Stenton, William the Conqueror (1908). (H. W. C. D.)

contributed by Encyclopedia Britannica, 1911

12 April 2006