William was born sometime around 1028 CE in Normandy. He was the illegitimate child of Robert I, Duke of Normandy and a commoner named Herleva who was the daughter of a hide tanner.
William’s 3rd great grandfather Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy after pillaging northern France with fellow Viking raiders in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. In exchange for peace, the Frankish King Charles the Simple, and Viking leader Rollo signed a treaty under which Charles gave Upper Normandy to Rollo, establishing the Duchy of Normandy. In exchange, Rollo pledged vassalage to Charles, he agreed to baptism and vowed to guard the estuaries of the Seine from further Viking attacks. Wiki
William’s father, Robert I, aka Robert the Devil, died and
William’s 3rd great grandfather Rollo became the first Duke of Normandy after pillaging northern France with fellow Viking raiders in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. In exchange for peace, the Frankish King Charles the Simple, and Viking leader Rollo signed a treaty under which Charles gave Upper Normandy to Rollo, establishing the Duchy of Normandy. In exchange, Rollo pledged vassalage to Charles, he agreed to baptism and vowed to guard the estuaries of the Seine from further Viking attacks. Wiki
William’s father, Robert I, aka Robert the Devil, died and