William the Conqueror to go on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Although some of his supporters tried to dissuade him from undertaking the journey, Robert convened a council in January 1035 and had the assembled Norman magnates swear fealty to William as his heir before leaving for Jerusalem. He died in early July at Nicea, on his way back to Normandy. William faced several challenges on becoming duke, including his illegitimate birth and his youth: the evidence indicates that he was either seven or eight years old at the time. He enjoyed the support of his great-uncle, Archbishop Robert, as well as the king of
Frederick William, Duke of Cieszyn Frederick William, Duke of Cieszyn Frederick William of Cieszyn (, , ; 9 November 1601 – 19 August 1625) was a Duke of Cieszyn since 1617 until his death. He was the third but only surviving son of Adam Wenceslaus, Duke of Cieszyn, by his wife Elisabeth, daughter of Gotthard Kettler, Duke of Courland. His mother died from childbirth complications ten days after his birth, on 19 November 1602. Since his early years, Frederick William's education was entrusted to the Silesian humanist Baltzar Exner. In 1611 Duke Adam Wenceslaus decided to convert to the Catholicism, and all the Protestant members