On this day in 1066, Guillaume le Conquérant set sail from the mouth of the Somme River in France. He was leading a fleet of French ships to England to claim what he believed was his—the English Crown! William would ultimately kill his competitor at The Battle of Hastings, namely, Harold Godwinson (who also believed that the crown rightfully was his). This profound event ended the Anglo-Saxon reign of England and inaugurated the Norman Conquest (and the "Modern Age" of the English monarchy). This seismic change affected all aspects of English life: the monarchy, government, culture, language and religion. Today's King Charles III is a descendant of William the Conqueror.
Before becoming King of England, William had been the Duke of Normandy, France, as his father had been before him. But William was illegitimate. He was the son of the Duke and the Duke's mistress. This fact complicated things for William throughout his life—and earned him the occasionally-used nickname, William the Bastard.
William was a Frenchman, though his ancestors had been Norsemen—Medieval Vikings who spread (invaded) from Scandinavia throughout parts of Europe. By the time William came along, these conquering Vikings had fully-integrated themselves into the French aristocracy, culture and power structure.
The previous King of England had been Edward the Confessor who died childless. It seems he had promised the crown to two different men (and there were even more men who were making claims for it themselves). Supposedly, Edward had promised the crown to William, Duke of Normandy, his first cousin, once removed. King Edward had also tapped his brother-in-law, Harold Godwinson, the powerful Earl of Wessex—even directing (from his deathbed) that Harold be crowned upon his death. Harold was crowned, for 282 days, until he met his end at the hand of William the Conqueror on 14 October 1066. This makes Harold the last Anglo-Saxon king.
The Edwardian English cast brass cockerel reminds me of William the Conqueror. While the sculpture is English, the subject—the Gallic rooster—is a powerful symbol of France. The rooster is courageous and vigilant—and a little full-of-himself. All this sums-up the charms and capabilities of William who would become king. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome sculpture.
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