William the Conqueror (dec 25, 1066 – sep 9, 1087)
Description:
On the Confessor's death, Harold Godwinson was elected king by the Witengamot, but there were competing claims from Harald Hardrada of Sweden (claimed as Harthacnut's successor) and William of Normandy. Harold was killed at Hastings in October. Edgar Aetheling (son of Edward the Exile and grandson of Edmund Ironside) was elected briefly by Witengamot but was never crowned. William had married Matilda of Flanders in 1053. He died in September 1087 while leading a campaign in northern France. His reign in England was marked by the construction of castles, the settling of a new Norman nobility on the land, and change in the composition of the English clergy. He did not try to integrate his various domains into one empire but instead continued to administer each part separately. HIs lands were divided after his death: Normandy went to his eldest son, Robert Curthose, and his second surviving son, William Rufus, received England.Added to timeline:
Date:
dec 25, 1066
sep 9, 1087
~ 20 years