William

(wil'yahm) I., styled THE CONQUEROR, the founder of the Norman dynasty of English kings (Fig. 381), was an illegitimate son of Robert, Duke of Normandy, B.at Falaise in 1025. He s. his father as duke in1035, and displayed great military ability and energy in suppre ing a revolt of his barons. After the death of the English king, Edward the Confe or, W. claimed to be his succe or by adoption, and to dispo e Harold of the throne invaded England with an army of 60,000 men, and, landing at Hastings, there defeated Harold and the Saxon forces, 1066. Crowned king in Westminster Abbey shortly afterward, W. maintained the power he had acquired by acts of bitter cruelty and injustice toward the Saxon population, yet became, neverthele , the most powerful sovereign in Europe. In 1078 his son Robert rebelled against him in Normandy, and toward the close ofhis reign W. caused the famous Domesday [s. 961]