Who was the father of William the Conqueror?

William the Conqueror’s father was Robert I, Duke of Normandy.

Robert ruled Normandy from 1027 until his death in 1035. He was also known as Robert the Magnificent and belonged to the Norman ducal dynasty descended from Rollo, the Viking founder of Normandy. William was Robert’s only son, born out of Robert’s relationship with Herleva of Falaise.

William’s birth was politically sensitive because his parents were not married. He was therefore sometimes called William the Bastard before his later conquest made him William the Conqueror. Robert nevertheless secured support for William as his heir before leaving on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Robert died at Nicaea while returning, leaving the young William as duke.

A common mix-up is Richard II, Duke of Normandy, who was Robert’s father and William’s grandfather. Robert’s death created a dangerous minority for William, but he eventually consolidated Normandy and used it as the base for his invasion of England in 1066.