William the Conqueror France, Henry I, enabling him to succeed to his father's duchy. The support given to the exiled English princes in their attempt to return to England in 1036 shows that the new duke's guardians were attempting to continue his father's policies, but Archbishop Robert's death in March 1037 removed one of William's main supporters, and conditions in Normandy quickly descended into chaos. The anarchy in the duchy lasted until 1047, and control of the young duke was one of the priorities of those contending for power. At first, Alan of Brittany had custody of the duke, but when Alan died
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