Who was William the Conqueror?

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I was watching Conquest a couple of days ago and they had section on the housecarls(sp?) and how they used their axes. Then I realized that I know next to nothing about one of biggest affects on history. So I came here the fountain of all knowledge yet I find nothing(or next to it). First are there any good books on him? And if not when was he born/died? Who did he marry? Was he really a b*stard? When he become Duke of Norman? How long did his line last? What were his military victories?(besides Hasting) etc. etc.

Thanks..

 

[saskganesh]

he was exceptional. so exceptional that paradox is starting CK after the conquest, as he blows the curve.

heres a good link (good short bio):
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15642c.htm

another:
http://hastings1066.com/

and
http://www.bayeuxtapestry.org.uk/

lots of great fiction around 1066 too. after hastings willy spent the next 20 years putting down revolts all around England. His line married into the Angevins, who became the Plantagenets who the current house of Windsor claim some descent from.

 

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this is by far the best site on british history I have ever found:

http://www.britannia.com/history/

I highly recommend it. They have a good article on William in there as well.

 

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Two accounts of William's earlier battles are on the De Re Militari website. The direct link is:
http://www.deremilitari.org/jumieges.htm

The best book I can think of is David Bates, Normandy before 1066 (London: Longman, 1982)

Also, look at David Bates & Anne Curry (eds.) England and Normandy in the Middle Ages (London, 1994)