The Bastard Who Became King
Before he became England’s monarch, William I (circa 1028 – 1087) had been one of two illegitimate children of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and the pretty daughter of a tanner. Duke Robert’s illegitimate son was widely known as William the Bastard. He grew to become one of the Middle Ages’ most formidable warriors and rulers, and in 1066, the bastard successfully invaded England. Thereafter, he was known to history as William the Conqueror. People had mocked William as “William the Bastard” since childhood, so he had a chip on his shoulder from early on. When he was eight, William’s father named him heir, then went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but died en route.
Since Duke Robert had no legitimate children, the Norman barons accepted his eldest biological son, William, as their new lord. The underage duke was unable to control his unruly barons, who took advantage of his tender years to defy his authority. Nobles built private castles, usurped the duke’s power, and turned to private warfare to settle scores and enrich themselves. Before long, Normandy was plunged into anarchy. In that atmosphere, William’s early reign was precarious in the extreme, and he was under the constant threat of getting deposed. Three of his guardians were murdered, and as a child, he witnessed his steward get his throat slit by a Norman rebel.
