William the Conqueror

William I
King of England, Duke of Normandy
Imaginary portrait of William by Anonymous
King of England
Reign	25 December 1066 - 9 September 1087
Coronation	25 December 1066
Predecessor	Harold II
Successor	William II
Duke of Normandy
Reign	7 July 1035 – 9 September 1087
Coronation	15 May 1041
Predecessor	Robert I
Successor	Robert II
Born	1 January 1027 Normandy, France
Died	9 September 1087(1087-09-09) (aged 60) Palace of Westminster, London, England
Burial	Westminster Abbey, London, England
Spouse	Matilda of Flanders (1031 – 1083)
Issue	Robert II, Duke of Normandy William II of England Henry I of England Cecelia, Abbess of Romney Abbey Constance, Duchess of Brittany
House	Normandy
Father	Robert I, Duke of Normandy
Mother	Herleva de Falaise

William the Conqueror (1028 – 9 September 1087), also known as William I of England, was a Norman statesman and warlord. He was the first Norman King of England (1066–1087). He was also the Duke of Normandy from 1035 until his death.

Every monarch of England and later the United Kingdom is directly descended from William.

At the Battle of Hastings, William defeated Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. That event is shown on the Bayeux Tapestry. He changed the course of both Norman and English history. He and Harold fought to see who would have the English throne. Harold was killed at the battle of Hastings in 1066.