18. The Adventurous Rise of History’s Most Successful Bastard
England’s King William I (circa 1028 – 1087) began life as was one of two illegitimate children of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, fathered upon the pretty daughter of a local tanner. During the first half of his life, Duke Robert’s illegitimate son was widely known as William the Bastard. He led an adventurous life, that saw him grow up to become one of the Middle Ages’ most formidable warriors and rulers. In 1066, the bastard led a successful invasion of England and became its king.
William the Bastard’s success in England got him a name change: from then on, he became William the Conqueror. It was a welcome change for a man who had been mocked for his illegitimate birth since childhood. Understandably, that gave him a chip on his shoulder from early on. When he was eight years old, William’s father named him his heir, then went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem, but died en route. Since Duke Robert had no legitimate offspring, the Norman barons agreed to accept his eldest biological son, William, as their new Duke.