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William the Conqueror
Duke William
Born 1028 at 
Falaise in Normandy, William was the son of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and Herleve, a girl of Falaise of uncertain parentage. Although illegitimate, he was, nevertheless, a direct descendant of Rolf the Viking and had a good claim to the throne. His claim was all the stronger when his father went on a
pilgrimage in 1034 and died on the return trip, making William duke in 1035 at the age of sevn. Before leaving, Robert brought forward William and had him recognized as his heir.
Upon hearing of Robert's death, a number of notables, including
the Archbishop of Rouen (who was Robert's brother), moved to protect and defend the young boy. His minority was a period of grim disorder. Several of those close to William were assassinated. His tutor took to sleeping in the same room with the boy in order to protect him. A number of times William had to flee in the night and hide out in peasant cottages.
When William was 18 he became duke officially, with no tutor or regent. This led immediately to a rebellion as the barons sought to test their new lord's strength. He crushed the rebellion and firmly established himself as being of age and in charge.