William the Conqueror probably secured earlier. Papal sanction of the marriage appears to have required the founding of two monasteries in Caen – one by William and one by Matilda. The marriage was important in bolstering William's status, as Flanders was one of the more powerful French territories, with ties to the French royal house and to the German emperors. Contemporary writers considered the marriage, which produced four sons and five or six daughters, to be a success. No authentic portrait of William has been found; the contemporary depictions of him on the Bayeux Tapestry and on his seals and coins are conventional
Statue of William the Conqueror is also a commemorative plaque. William carries a gonfalon (banner) donated by Pope Alexander II. The sculptor, in order to make the work appear realistic, based his design on the Bayeux tapestry. Created with the help of a national subscription, it was unveiled on October 26, 1851. The six other statues are a later addition of September 19, 1875. The French inscription on the plaque translates into English as follows: This monument was erected by national subscriptionThe equestrian statue on October 26, 1851The statues of six dukes of Normandy on September 19, 1875 The statue is located on Place Guillaume-le-Conquérant