Born c. 1028 as Duke William the Bastard, neither his parents nor his peers could have ever imagined the life he would lead. Disadvantaged in noble society due to his illegitimate birth, William nonetheless enjoyed a comfortable childhood as the only son of Duke Robert.
His father died just nine years after William’s birth and, with the support of King Henry of France and his great-uncle, Archbishop Robert, he inherited the Dukedom of his father despite several challenges owing to his illegitimate birth and his young age.
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