William the Conqueror

William the Conqueror was the first Norman king of England. He became king in 1066 after defeating the English king, Harold Godwinson, at the Battle of Hastings. William was born in Normandy, a region in northern France, where he was known as the Duke of Normandy. A duke is a powerful ruler who controls a large area of land. William claimed that the English throne had been promised to him, and he used this claim to organize an invasion.

William's early life in Normandy was difficult. He became duke as a child, and many powerful families did not want to follow a young ruler. William survived several attempts to remove him, and he grew into a strong leader. By the time he was an adult, he controlled Normandy with firm authority and prepared it for war when needed.

In 1066, William sailed across the English Channel with many soldiers, horses, and supplies. The English army fought him at the Battle of Hastings. A battle is a large fight between two organized armies. After a long day of fighting, King Harold was killed, and William's army won the field. William then moved across southern England, taking control of towns and building wooden castles to secure each area.

As king, William made wide changes in England. He ordered a survey called the Domesday Book, which described who owned land and what taxes they should pay. He replaced many English lords with Norman lords, who supported him. William also built strong stone castles, such as the Tower of London, to defend his rule. These castles helped him control the land and protect important places.

William's rule connected England more closely with Normandy and the rest of Europe. Norman culture, language, and building methods spread across England. William died in 1087 in Normandy. His sons later became kings, and the systems he started shaped English government, landholding, and royal power for many years.

Today, historians see William as a ruler who changed England in lasting ways. His victory in 1066 marked the beginning of a new chapter in English history, with new leaders, new buildings, and new laws that influenced the country for centuries.