William the Bastard
2- He was born in Falaise in 1028 - his parents were unmarried - hence the nickname.
3- His father was Robert I, the sixth Duke of Normandy.Duke Robert of Normandy died in 1035 and William became Duke of Normandy at the age of only seven years old.
4- Edward the Confessor, the King of England, took refuge in Normandy after the Danes conquered England, he stayed at the palace of William.
5- He was very kindly treated there, and William said that in 1051 Edward had promised in gratitude that William should succeed him as king of England.
6- Edward the Confessor returned to England and took with him Norman friends and advisors.
7- The English nobles led by Harold Godwinson were furious at having so many French at court and Edward was forced to expel them.
8- Edward the Confessor then dies and Harold Godwinson claims the English throne and is crowned the King of England.
9- To press his claim to the English crown, William invaded England in 1066 leading the battle of Hastings .
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