As far as mortal men can guide the course of things when he is gone, the course of our national history since William's day has been the result of William's character and of William's acts. Well may we restore to him the surname that men gave him in his own day. He may worthily take his place as William the Great alongside of Alexander, Constantine, and Charles.
- E.A. Freeman, William the Conqueror.

Additional Information on
William I The Conqueror (b.1028 r.1066-1087)

William, Duke of Normandy invaded England in 1066, defeating King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings - on the premise that he was in fact the rightful heir to the throne. William destroyed the Saxon line of nobility. He was crowned on Christmas day 1066 in Westminster Abbey.

He was a ruthless, hard man in every sense - a ferocious warrior, harsh ruler, driving administrator and man of vigorous principles. His willpower was massive and his temper fearsome. William strengthened Edward the Confessor's legal system and created a feudal society in England (it being divided into hierarchical groups) - an idea brought across from Normandy. In 1085-1086 William ordered the first census of the country to be undertaken for tax purposes. This has since come to be known as the Doomsday Book - because, like the Day of Judgement there could be no appeal against what it contained. Much land was given to Norman barons (ie. rewarding Norman supporters with land seized from the English) and there was inevitable Saxon resistance, but William put down all outbreaks with relentless severity. 'William set his grip on England and changed it to suit his needs'.

Originally, William built a simple timber and earth castle, but in 1078 construction of the residential suite for the royal family began - the White Tower of London - so he and his family would be safe from attack in his capital city. William died in France in 1087 of injuries received when his horse threw him whilst fighting the King of France.

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