William I (of England), called the Conqueror (1027-1087), first Norman king of England (1066-1087), who has been called one of the first modern kings and is generally regarded as one of the outstanding figures in western European history.
Born in Falaise, Normandy, William was the illegitimate son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and Arlette, a tanner's daughter, and is therefore sometimes called William the Bastard.
