The Conqueror (novel) The Conqueror (novel) The Conqueror is a novel written by Georgette Heyer. It is based on the life of William the Conqueror. It chronicles the life of William of Normandy (the Conqueror) from his birth in 1028 to his conquest of England in 1066. Born the illegitimate son of Robert, future Duke of Normandy, William has to fight to prove himself in the eyes of his people and the eyes of his enemies. Succeeding to the title at age seven, William relies heavily on the support of his great-uncle, Archbishop Robert. With the death of Archbishop Robert only a year
William Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Weimar William Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Weimar William Ernest, Duke of Saxe-Weimar (19 October 1662 – 26 August 1728) was a duke of Saxe-Weimar. He was born in Weimar, the eldest son of Johann Ernst II, Duke of Saxe-Weimar and Princess Christine Elisabeth of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg. When his father died in 1683, he succeeded him as duke; however, he was compelled to rule jointly with his younger brother Johann Ernst III. Because John Ernest III was alcoholic, William Ernest took full control of the government of the duchy and permitted John Ernest the nominal title of co-duke ("Mitherr") until his death in 1707.