William the Conqueror & His Successors

William the Conqueror

• Born in 1028 and died on September 9th, 1087
• Duke of Normandy
• Nicknamed William the Bastard
• Known for his leadership skills and uniting Normandy
• Invaded England, defeating Harold II at the Battle of Hastings in 1066
• Harold II and his two brothers were killed during the battle
• Crowned King of England on Christmas Day, 1066
• The Treaty of Abernethy was signed in 1072 between William and King Malcolm III of Scotland
• The Domesday Book, a manuscript containing records about land in England, was created during his reign. It's the oldest government record in England

William II

• Known as William Rufus
• Reigned from 1087 to 1100
• Was not a popular king
• Never married

Henry I

• Completed the conquest of Normandy after the Battle of Ticherbai in 1106
• Known as the Beauclerc due to his education
• Increased royal revenue, as shown in the Pipe Roll of 1130
• Attempted to place his daughter as Queen after the death of his two sons in a shipwreck but failed
• Founded a zoo for the study of animals
• Nicknamed the Lion of Justice for his role in establishing good laws in England

Stephen

• Ruled from 1135 to 1154
• A weak king
• Faced invasion from Matilda in 1139, leading to a civil war
• Captured in 1141 but regained power due to betrayal from Matilda's allies
• Faced further invasions from Henry in 1149 and 1153
• The period of civil war from 1139 to 1153 is known as The Anarchy due to the power struggles