1027-1087 - He invaded England as the Duke of Normandy and won the Battle of Hastings in 1066 to become king of England.
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William the Conqueror lived from AD 1027 to 1087. He invaded England as the Duke of Normandy and won the Battle of Hastings in 1066. He then ruled England as William I.
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==Early Life==
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William was the illegitimate son of [[Robert I]], Duke of Normandy. For this reason, he was called William the Bastard by his contemporaries. William's father died in 1035 when he was seven years old. William was declared his heir, with his great uncle serving as regent. William assumed more control of the government in 1042 when he put down a series of rebellions. In 1053, William married Matilda, the daughter of Count Baldwin of Flanders.