William the Conqueror eldest son. William was the son of the unmarried Robert I, Duke of Normandy, by Robert's mistress Herleva. His illegitimate status and his youth caused some difficulties for him after he succeeded his father, as did the anarchy that plagued the first years of his rule. During his childhood and adolescence, members of the Norman aristocracy battled each other, both for control of the child duke and for their own ends. In 1047 William was able to quash a rebellion and begin to establish his authority over the duchy, a process that was not complete until about 1060. His marriage
William the Conqueror (film) William the Conqueror (film) William the Conqueror () is a 2015 French historical film directed by Fabien Drugeon. The film is about William the Conqueror when he is about to embark from Dives-sur-Mer to conquer England in the year 1066. In the event that he would not return alive, William introduced his son Robert to his loyal barons to receive the ducal throne heritage. We then have an extensive flashback. William's father Duke Robert declares William his heir before departing for a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The barons swear loyalty. However, Robert dies and William, still a child, has to flee.