William was the illegitimate son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy. The Duke had no sons. As a result, William was nominated as his successor. After his death in 1 035, William became Duke of Normandy. William was only seven years old then. In the first years of his reign the revolt took epidemic proportions and on several occasions the young duke escaped death for a short time. William became a worthy ruler. When he was only 20 years old. He was supported by King Henry I of France. Henry later turned against him and began to oppose. But William survived and in 1 063, expanded the borders of his duchy into the region of Maine. William is believed to have visited England in 1 051 and met his cousin Edward the Confessor, the childless English king. According to Norman historians, Edward promised to make William his successor. On his deathbed, however, Edward granted the kingdom to Harord Godwinson, head of England's top aristocratic family. He was more powerful than the king. King Edward died in January 1 066 and Harold Godwinson was proclaimed King Harold II. As a result, William opposed his claim. King Harald III, Hardraade of Norway had designs on England. Which is designed by Tostig brother of Harold. King Harold mobilized his forces to repel William's attack. But Tostig launched an expedition and the King left the English Channel unprotected. In September, Tostig joined forces with King Harald III and invaded England from Scotland. On September 25, Harold met them at Stamford Bridge and defeated and killed them both. Three days later, William landed in England at Pevensey. William captured Pevensi with approximately 7,000 soldiers and cavalry. He then proceeded to Hastings. Here he organized his forces with breaks. On the first of October he arrived at Hastings with his troops, and the next day William led his troops into battle. King Harold II was killed after a bloody battle all day. His eyes were shot with arrows and his forces were defeated. Then William came to London. On Christmas Day 1 066, William the conqueror crowned Westminster Abbey as the first Norman king of England and ending the Anglo Saxon period. William ruled England with a stern hand. As a result, peace and good governance were established in England. He established a strong centralized government by keeping the feudal barons in check. He rendered great service by keeping all England under his firm control. He was a man of clear vision. He checked Popes and Barons under himself. The Doomsday Book made his tax assessment accurate and regular. As a statesman he was extremely intelligent and insightful. He realized that his own Norman followers could pose a serious threat to the stability of the government. He was a very cruel and harsh king. He was terrifying to those who would oppose him. But the purpose of his harshness and cruelty was to establish a strong system of government in England. He only once showed himself to be dishonest. He destroyed many villages in Hampshire for himself a hunting park. Because he loved to hunt. The name of the park was New Forest and he enacted cruel laws to protect this forest. Here he showed ruthlessness. He was ruthless for his own pleasure. His rule brought about political, administrative and social change on the British Isles.
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