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Period: Jan 1, 1050 to Sep 9, 1087
Matilda of Flanders (William's wife)
William was married around 1050 to his cousin Matilda of Flanders and granddaughter of the King of France when they were both about 22. She produced him 4 sons and 5 daughters between 1052 and 1065. His son Robert became Duke of Normandy, William (II) King of England and his son Henry (I) King of England and Duke of Normandy. -
Oct 14, 1066
Norman Invasion
When King Edward the Confessor died, the crown passed to Harold, his brother-in-law, but Edward had a cousin in Normandy (the northern part of today’s France) called William, who thought he should have succeeded to the throne of England.
The end result was the Battle of Hastings in 1066. William sailed from Normandy with an army of Norman soldiers, the Saxons were defeated, and Harold was killed – according to tradition by an arrow in the eye. -
Period: Oct 14, 1066 to Sep 9, 1087
Reign of William the Conqueror
William became king of England, earning himself the prestigious title William the Conqueror. To control the Anglo-Saxons, the Norman invaders built numerous castles across their new-won territory, and by 1085–86 the Domesday Book provided a census of England’s current stock and future potential.
The English King now ruled simultaneously in both England and part of France which set the scene for regular land battles over territory in France for the next 500 years. -
Dec 25, 1066
Coronation of William I
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Period: Sep 9, 1087 to Aug 5, 1100
Reign of William II or William Rufus. 1087-1100
When Rufus became King of England his elder brother Robert ruled Normandy. The English church and English people wanted Robert as king. Nevertheless he consolidated and expanded the boundaries of England into Wales and when the Scottish King Malcolm III invaded, he beat back the Scottish army so decisively that not only did he take back the north western area (Cumberland) but also forced Malcolm to pay homage to him. He died out hunting in mysterious circumstances with an arrow in his back -
Period: Aug 4, 1100 to Dec 1, 1135
Reign of Henry I
Henry was the fourth son of William the Conqueror and was educated in Latin and the liberal arts.
Henry's only legitimate son and heir, William Adelin, drowned in the White Ship disaster of 1120, throwing the royal succession into doubt. Henry declared his daughter, Matilda, his heir and married her to Geoffrey of Anjou. Despite his plans for Matilda, the King was succeeded by his nephew, Stephen of Blois, resulting in a period of civil war known as the Anarchy. -
Aug 5, 1100
Coronation of Henry I
House Norman Dynasty
Father William I of England
Mother Matilda of Flanders -
May 9, 1154
Henry II became king (Plantagenet dynasty - France and England).
(1154-89) He was successful in bringing order and stability. He reduced the power of the barons and introduced the scutage (money the knights could pay the king instead of giving military service). He sent travelling judges round the land and the law they administered became known as the "common law" -
May 9, 1162
Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury
Henry II made Thomas Becket, his chancellor and friend, Archbishop of Canterbury (Head of the Church of England).
Becket became an opponent of the king. -
Dec 29, 1170
Thomas Becket was murdered
He was murdered in the Cathedral by four knights. He became a martyr and was canonised as St Thomas in 1173. Pilgrims from all over Europe visit his shrine. -
Jan 1, 1189
Richard I 1189
Richard, the Lion-hearted, succeded his father Henry II.
He took part in the Third Crusade and during his absence his brother John tried to usurp his place.
He died in 1199 without an heir. -
Jan 1, 1199
John Lackland
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My birthday
Come to my party at 8 p.m.
