On the 3rd of July, 1035, William the Bastard became the Duke of Normandy. William was born around 1028 in Falaise, Normandy. He was the illegitimate son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and Herleva, a woman of modest origins. Due to his illegitimacy, William was often referred to as “William the Bastard” during his early years. Despite this, his father recognised him as his heir before embarking on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 1035.
Robert I’s untimely death in 1035 left young William, merely around seven or eight years old, as the Duke of Normandy. His minority ushered in a period of great instability. The Norman nobility, known for their fractiousness and ambition, posed significant threats to William’s authority. As a child ruler, his position was precarious, and those entrusted with his guardianship often met violent ends. Several of William’s protectors, including his tutor, were assassinated, reflecting the turbulence of Norman politics.
William’s early years were marked by constant threats to his rule. He had to navigate a treacherous political landscape, rife with plots and rebellions by rival nobles seeking to exploit his youth and inexperience. Despite these challenges, William demonstrated remarkable resilience. His ability to survive such a volatile environment hinted at the formidable leader he would become.
By 1036, William had managed to maintain his ducal title, largely due to a combination of loyal supporters, strategic alliances, and his own burgeoning leadership skills. This year was pivotal not only for William but also for the broader region, as it marked ongoing power struggles in England following the death of King Cnut the Great. While William was not directly involved in English affairs at this time, the shifting dynamics across the Channel would later prove significant in his life.
William’s formative years instilled in him a keen sense of political acumen, an appreciation for the importance of strong alliances, and an understanding of the brutal realities of medieval power struggles. These early experiences shaped his approach to leadership, fostering a blend of ruthlessness and strategic foresight that would eventually see him claim the English crown in 1066. However, up until 1036, William’s life was characterised by survival amidst adversity, laying the foundation for his future conquests.
If you are hungry for more detail on William the Conqueror, I recommend the Senlac books by Julian De La Motte. I particularly enjoyed the second book.