The VIP's of the Middle Ages
William the Conqueror, King John, and Joan of Arc
William the Conqueror
Biographical Info
- Name: William I, King of England
- Location: England
- Birth: 1028 at Falaise, in the French province of Normandy
- Death: September 9, 1087, at Rouen
- Ruled From: 1066 to 1087
- Personality: He was a strong leader, a fine soldier, and a highly capable, intelligent, and determined man
Memorable Moments
- Significant Battles: The Battle of Hastings (William the Conqueror crossed the English Channel with his Norman knights to defeat his greatest enemy, King Harold II)
- Other Events: He defeated a series of rebellions by English barons and seized the land of rebels
- Quote: "Look I have already grasped my Kingdom"
- Fun Fact: When he was 8 years old, he succeeded his father as ruler of Normandy
William the Conqueror
Circa 1070, King William I (1027 - 1087), known as the Conqueror, the first Norman King of England
William the Conqueror
William as depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry during the Battle of Hastings, lifting his helm to show that he is still alive
William the Conqueror
Circa 1070, King William I of England (1027 - 1087), also known as William the Conquerer.
Importance
- Important Decisions: He had to decided whether him and his Norman knights would be a part of the Battle of Hastings, and defeat his enemy Harold, or not
- Why We Should Care: He had The Domesday Book created, and it is now an invaluable source of historical information (still located in the Public Record Office in London)
- Greatest Achievements: The creation of the Doomsday book (which helped the king create an accurate central tax system) & being crowned King of England
King John
Biograhical Info
- Name: John Lackland
- Location: England
- Birth: December 24, 1166, Beaumont Palace
- Death: October 19, 1216, Newark-on-Trent
- Ruled From: 1199 to 1216
- Personality: He was a very short-tempered "villain"
Memorable Moments
- Significant Battles: Barons' War (English Barons march to London to demand rights which they lay down in the Magna Carta)
- Other Events: Acceptance of the Magna Carta (Great Charter)
- Quote: "Mad world! mad kings! mad composition!"
- Fun Fact: He had been called John "Lackland," because he had nothing when his brothers each had some great dukedom
King John
King John, as depicted by an unknown artist.
King John
Engraving of King John of England which were made from earlier engravings by George Vertue
King John
Funerary effigy of King John, Worcester Cathedral
Importance
- Important Decisions: Accepting the Magna Carta (If he didn't, he would have been killed)
- Why We Should Care: This is where the Legend of Robin Hood came from
- Greatest Achievements: He established the Magna Carta, in which he had to agree not to collect taxes from nobles without their consent or take their property without paying for it
Joan of Arc
Biographical Info
- Name: Maid of Orleans
- Location: France
- Birth: village of Domremy in 1412
- Death: May 30th, 1431
- Personality: She was a highly religious, courageous, and determined woman
Memorable Moments
- Significant Battles: Battle of Orleans (at age 15, Joan of Arc lead French soldiers in victory over the English at the Battle of Orleans)
- Other Events: During the 100 Years War, she helped Charles VII become King of France
- Quote: "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!"
- Interesting Fact: Joan of Arc died at the young age of 19, because she was burned at the stake
Joan of Arc
Painting, ca. 1485. An artist's interpretation, since the only known direct portrait has not survived.
Coats of Arms
Coat of Arms of Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc
Joan of Arc's Death at the Stake, by Hermann Stilke (1843)
Importance
- Important Decisions: Deciding whether or not she should lead the French soldiers in the Battle of Orleans
- Why We Should Care: Joan of Arc was spoken to by god (she had visions) and is a Catholic saint and a symbol of French patriotism
- Greatest Achievements: Rousing the French against the English during the Hundred Years War
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