William the Conqueror

William I the Conqueror was “one of the greatest soldiers and rulers of the Middle Ages”. (Encyclopædia Britannica, 1997) He was declared, while he was still a child, Duke of Normandy in 1035 after the death of his father, Robert I “the devil”. His early years of reign were filled with conflict and strife since they correspond with one of the darkest periods of Normandy. However, he succeeded in crushing all his enemies and his throne …

…feudal system resulted to the later economic and political success of England. William brought the French language into England which had great influence on the English we use today. Some of the language influence from the Norman invasion is part of our everyday use of English ‘house’ and ‘crime’. When looking at modern England, the results of William the first’ conquest influence on England is still apparent in today’s English tradition, government and language.