William I and his successors
I can explain what was important about the disputed succession to William I.
William I and his successors
I can explain what was important about the disputed succession to William I.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- William had a stern personality, shown in the tension with his eldest son, Robert, (who he nicknamed ‘shorty-pants’).
- Robert believed that William was denying him power, and in 1077, he rebelled.
- William's deathbed succession announcement lacked clarity and divided his kingdom and duchy.
- Some of the Norman aristocracy agreed that Robert, as the eldest son, deserved to inherit both Normandy and England.
- Robert, Bishop Odo of Bayeux, and six of William’s largest landholders launched a failed attempt to remove William II.
Keywords
Succession - succession is the process in which someone automatically inherits a position or property after someone else
Realm - a realm is an area ruled by a monarch, duke or other legitimate ruler
Primogeniture - primogeniture is the custom of a family's property going to the oldest son when the father dies
Common misconception
The one-dimensional view of William as a violent conqueror.
In fact, William was very pious and he repented some of the atrocities he had committed during his reign and insisted his treasures should be used to rebuild some of the areas he had harried.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
Duke of Normandy
King of England (if it was God’s will)
£5000