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William the Conqueror: From Duke of Normandy to King of England with Alexander Wilson
William the Conqueror: From Duke of Normandy to King of England with Alexander Wilson

William the Conqueror: From Duke of Normandy to King of England with Alexander Wilson


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At the untimely death of Robert the Magnificent in 1035, his illegitimate son William the Bastard became Duke of Normandy at the tender age of eight. This conversation will focus on his life, his battles, and his legacy that remains a strong part of European history today.

Surviving feudal in-fighting he gradually imposed his authority on his own territories, expanding them in the process, and found himself in a position to carry out a frankly aggressive foreign policy in the 1060s: at the death of Edward the Confessor in 1066, he backed his claim to the English throne with a full-blown and extraordinarily successful invasion. Victorious at the Battle of Hastings, he had himself crowned King of England in Westminster on Christmas Day 1066. William the Bastard had become William the Conqueror.

He would die at the age of 60, in 1087, having ruled over both Normandy and England with ruthless efficiency, laying the foundations of the later medieval English kingdom but also leaving a rich cultural legacy that lives on today. This seminar will look to tell the story, focussing on Normandy and William’s origins and power bases there. Still today the region is littered with historical reminders of its absolute heyday – castles, churches, artifacts – to such an extent that the Norman heritage is almost part of the scenery.

Led by Alex Wilson, local guide and historian who lives and works in William’s heartland, near Bayeux, this Context Conversation will also hopefully convey what a great place Normandy is to visit in the future.

Alex Wilson, a History First from Oxford, has been living and working in France for 35 years. After running his own publishing company, he has been guiding in Normandy (and for Context) for the last ten years. While his interests extend from William the Conqueror through to the post-War reconstruction, his main focus is on WW2 and the Battle of Normandy.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 10 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 25 reviews
96%
(24)
0%
(0)
4%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
D
Dean Loehr (Lubbock, US)
Interesting and engaging

The information was very helpful as I am going to Normandy this summer and it gives me foundation for all of the knowledge I will learn.

G
G.L. (Jersey City, US)
A brief well organized history of William the Conqueror

The amount of history and detail that was reduced to the most concise account of William's extraordinary life was quite amazing. I have been privileged to view several lectures by Mr Wilson and this was the most complicated yet. Luckily I know a fair amount about this time period in English history so I was able to track and understand most of it William was a complicated man in a complicated moment of history. He had extraordinary gifts and very human limitations. Mr Wilson made him come alive for us as a warrior king, a shrewd politician, a faithful husband, a military strategist, and a great administrator who gave us the Doomsday books!

b
b.m. (North Andover, US)
Educational and Enjoyable

Very interesting and enjoyed the discussion of William's ascension to king as well as how his connections work their way into history.

L
L. (Tucson, US)
Very interesting and well presented

Very well presented and interesting. Liked the constant reference to the Bayeux Tapestry.

C
C.M. (Branford, US)
History is Never Over

Very informative

Customer Reviews

Based on 25 reviews
96%
(24)
0%
(0)
4%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
D
Dean Loehr (Lubbock, US)
Interesting and engaging

The information was very helpful as I am going to Normandy this summer and it gives me foundation for all of the knowledge I will learn.

G
G.L. (Jersey City, US)
A brief well organized history of William the Conqueror

The amount of history and detail that was reduced to the most concise account of William's extraordinary life was quite amazing. I have been privileged to view several lectures by Mr Wilson and this was the most complicated yet. Luckily I know a fair amount about this time period in English history so I was able to track and understand most of it William was a complicated man in a complicated moment of history. He had extraordinary gifts and very human limitations. Mr Wilson made him come alive for us as a warrior king, a shrewd politician, a faithful husband, a military strategist, and a great administrator who gave us the Doomsday books!

b
b.m. (North Andover, US)
Educational and Enjoyable

Very interesting and enjoyed the discussion of William's ascension to king as well as how his connections work their way into history.

L
L. (Tucson, US)
Very interesting and well presented

Very well presented and interesting. Liked the constant reference to the Bayeux Tapestry.

C
C.M. (Branford, US)
History is Never Over

Very informative