Birthplace of William the Conqueror

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Falaise, Birthplace of William the Conqueror

A tremendously imposing medieval castle still dominates the town of Falaise. It acts as a reminder that this was the birthplace of the fearsome William the Conqueror, although the fortifications you now see date from after his time.

Here at Falaise, it might be said that the seeds were sown for a huge shift in English history. Based at Falaise castle, Duke Robert fell for the charms of a young local woman, Herleva, or Arlette, the daughter of a local tanner. Legend has it that Robert spotted the young woman beside a stream and was immediately smitten.

In late 1028, or possibly in 1029, she gave birth to their illegitimate son, William. Although the duke would not marry Herleva, she acquired power through her relationship with him. Little is known about William’s childhood, although it is assumed that many of his early years were spent in Falaise with his mother.

At the end of 1034, the repentant Duke Robert decided to head out on pilgrimage to the Holy Land and designated his young bastard son William as his rightful heir. The Bastard William succeeded on his father’s death in 1035 and would become one of the most successful leaders of his time, the conqueror of England and England’s first Norman king.