William I of England

King of England known alternatively as William of Normandy and William the Bastard, King William I "the Conqueror" of England was the illegitimate son of Robert, Duke of Normandy. Despite having a merely nominal claim to the throne of England, he alleged that [Edward the Confessor]? had named him his heir.

In order to pursue this claim, he invaded England in 1066 and defeated [King Harold]? at the [Battle of Hastings]?, thus allowing him to seize the throne. His victory is commemorated in the [Bayeux Tapestry]?.

William initiated many major changes, amongst them a fundamental review of the prevailing Anglo-Saxon legal system, which he fused with Norman law. In order to ascertain the extent of his dominion, William commissioned the compilation of the [Domesday Book]?, a survey of the population of England and their possessions. He also ordered the building of a number of castles, among them the Tower of London.

William was succeeded in 1087 by William II.