William the conqueror - Essay Example

This paper studies the reforms initiated by William the Conqueror and its impact on England. William was the son of the Duke of Normandy and appointed to take his father’s place during the latter’s journey to the holy land. His young life was marked by chastity and piety as his character became strong due to the circumstances of that time era. As Normandy descended into anarchy, he became an invincible and feared military defeat for his victories in the battlefield. During the 1040s, as France was threatened by civil war, he won important military victories at Alen and Domfront.

He became the undisputed master of the French province of Maine. His fiefdom was the most powerful one in France which even managed to defy the French king. In 1066, he claimed the throne of England which was challenged by Harold Godwinson. William appeared with a huge army of Normans where the famous Battle of Hastings was fought in which he was victorious1. The conquest of England led to the domination of the land, people and government by the Normans. Permission was also given to build castles which would help protect the Norman nobility from attacks.

William established his government with the qualities of a statesman. He also needed to enforce his laws with an iron fist to prevent the English from rebelling against Norman authority. One of his greatest achievements was the comprehensive manuscript which became known as the Doomsday Book. This book carried out a census of the people living within the territories of William the conqueror. This census was also carried to initiate a new system of taxation which would help to fund the government of William the conqueror.

William also introduced heavy taxes which did not prevent people from looking at him with a negative light. The English people looked towards William as their protector from feudal oppression2. One of William’s most bitter legacies was the forest laws3. William