William the Conqueror king. One story implicates Earl Godwin of Wessex in Alfred's subsequent death, but others blame Harold. Emma went into exile in Flanders until Harthacnut became king following Harold's death in 1040, and his half-brother Edward followed Harthacnut to England; Edward was proclaimed king after Harthacnut's death in June 1042. William was born in 1027 or 1028 at Falaise, Duchy of Normandy, most likely towards the end of 1028. He was the only son of Duke Robert I, son of Duke Richard II. His mother, Herleva, was the daughter of Fulbert of Falaise; Fulbert may have been a tanner or embalmer.
Companions of William the Conqueror not to Harold's mother, who offered for the body of her beloved son its weight in gold." ""Hic Odo Eps (Episcopus) Baculu(m) Tenens Confortat Pueros."" ("Here Odo the Bishop holding a club strengthens the boys.") These five were agreed upon by both David C. Douglas and Geoffrey H. White and are from the "Complete Peerage XII-1," Appendix L. Since the time of these lists, J. F. A. Mason in the "English Historical Review" adds one additional name: Companions of William the Conqueror William the Conqueror had men of diverse standing and origins under his command at the Battle of Hastings