William The Conqueror

Birth Date

1028

Born , Circa 1028 in Falaise, Normandy, France

lasting achievements

1032

William the Conqueror instituted his strategy for medieval warfare of building castles and went on to build many castles

young accomplishments

1037

At the age of eight, William the Conqueror became duke of Normandy and later King of England

history was made with Harold Godwinson

1065

In 1065 Duke William met with Harold Godwinson who is believed to have pledged a sacred oath of allegiance to the Duke William

became king of Englad

1066

after the Battle of Hastings, in 1066, he was crowned king of England
-- Duke William was victorious and was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey on 25th December 1066.

Kings army

1066

Duke William gathered an army and a fleet of ships. Many mercenaries flocked to his cause. The fleet lands on the South coast of England at Pevensey on 28th September 1066

not so good idea by the king

1068

In 1068 King William exacted a terrible punishment on the rebels in the North of England referred to as 'The Harrying of the North'- William ordered that all land is laid to waste and thousands of men, women, and children are starved to death

doomsday book

1086

Created, The Doomsday Book
-- begun in 1086 and contained detailed records of 13,418 settlements in England. The Doomsday Book, which still survives, provides an insight into the medieval life and times of this era.

death

1087

In 1087 King William the Conqueror died in a riding accident when he fell from his horse
-- William died after his horse reared up during a 1087 battle, throwing the king against his saddle pommel so forcefully that his intestines ruptured.