William I “The Conqueror,” King of England b 1028 MATILDA of FLANDERS b 1031

William I the Conqueror of England and Normandy, Duke of Normandy, King of England, was born 9 September 1027 in “Falaise” to Robert II, Duke of Normandy (c1000-1035) and Herleva of Falaise (1003-1050) and died 1086 in “Rouen” of unspecified causes. He married Matilda of Flanders (c1031-1083) 1050 . Ancestors are from FranceGermany.


The name “William the Bastard”, a name used by his enemies arose from the fact that his mother was a Tanner’s daughter who agreed to be his father Robert II’s mistress. She demanded that their relationship not be secret, and had a position in court. After the affair was over, she married a Viscount. William retained the favour of his father and when Robert II left for the Holy Land, he forced his lords to pledge fealty to William. Robert II never returned from the Holy land and the oath was quickly forgotten, and intrigue surrounded the boy Duke. William’s guardian Gilbert of Brionne was murdered, as was his tutor, as was his uncle Osbern- killed while protecting William from kidnappers found in his bedroom. William was sent away from home for his protection, and it was common practice for William’s uncle Walter to awaken him in the night to move him to a new location.



William convinced Matilda to relent, but the pope opposed the marriage because they were distant cousins. For a period of time all of Normandy was excommunicated along with their duke because William disregarded the pope’s advice and married Matilda. In return for the construction of two abbeys, the excommunication of Normandy was lifted.

In 1051, William visited his cousin Edward the Confessor, king of England. Edward was childless, and William’s account is that the king made him his heir. According to supporters of William, Edward sent his brother in law Harold Godwinson to see William in 1063. Other accounts say that Harold was shipwrecked. All accounts agree that William refused to let Harold depart until he swore on holy relics that he would uphold William’s claim to the throne of England, and agreed to marry his daughter (then an infant) Agatha. After winning his release, Harold reneged on both promises.




William is known to have had nine children, though Matilda, a tenth daughter who died a virgin, appears in some sources. Several other unnamed daughters are also mentioned as being betrothed to notable figures of that time. Despite rumours to the contrary (such as claims thatÂ William Peverel was a bastard of William)Â there is no evidence that he had any illegitimate children.

  1. Robert Curthose (1054â€“1134), Duke of Normandy, married Sybil of Conversano, daughter ofÂ Geoffrey of Conversano.
  2. Richard (c. 1055 â€“ c. 1081), Duke of Bernay, killed by a stag inÂ New Forest.
  3. Adeliza (or Alice) (c. 1055 â€“ c. 1065), reportedly betrothed toÂ Harold II of England.
  4. Cecilia (or Cecily) (c. 1056â€“1126), Abbess of Holy Trinity, Caen.
  5. William “Rufus” (c. 1056â€“1100), King of England, killed by an arrow inÂ New Forest.
  6. Agatha (c. 1064â€“1079), betrothed toÂ Alfonso VI of Castile.
  7. Constance (c. 1066â€“1090), marriedÂ Alan IV Fergent,Â Duke of Brittany; poisoned, possibly by her own servants.
  8. Adela (c. 1067â€“1137), marriedÂ Stephen, Count of Blois.
  9. Henry “Beauclerc” (1068â€“1135), King of England, marriedÂ Edith of Scotland, daughter ofÂ Malcolm III of Scotland. His second wife wasÂ Adeliza of Leuven.