William the Conqueror



Written by Edward A. Freeman, William the Conqueror is the life story of the first Norman king of England. Also known as William the Bastard, he reigned as King of England from 1066 until his death in 1087. More than a collection of stories, this captivating account explores William's character and how it changed the course of British history.

William the Conqueror is organized chronologically, from the doubtful legitimacy and brutal childhood of the boy to the marriage dramas and leadership style of the man. He's portrayed as a cautious and lawful ruler, with a personality that shifts between restrained and relentless. Along with providing leadership insights, William the Conqueror offers an intimate personal portrait of the king's character.

William I went on to lead the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, which changed the course of England and the entire world. Perhaps more than anyone else in English history, William I had a direct influence on the laws that would define modern England. By the end of the book, you understand William I both as an inspirational leader and a sympathetic human figure.