Baldwin V Count of FLANDERS

                   William tried further to advance his claim to the English throne in 1064,
when he obtained from Harold, Earl of Wessex, brother-in-law, his promise
to support William's condidancy.  When Edward died in 1066 and Harold accepted
the crown for himself, William was enraged and dedided on an immediate invasion.
He secured support of his barons, and Pope Alexander II sent his blessing.
An aliance was made with Harold's banised brother Tosting, who invaded the
North of England.  Harold's attention was thus distracted. On Sept. 28, 1066
William lande at Pevensey in Sussex with an army of men and on October 14th
he defeated and killed Harold.William entered London and was crowned on
December 25, 1066. After the conquest of the north had been conoleted by
1070, william treated the English sternly but fairly. The Church under
Archbishop, Lanfranc was centralized and linked with the reform movement.
In 1085 William ordered the compilitation of the famous survey called the
Domesday Book. His last years were troubled by revewed wars in Normandy
and he died at Rouen on Sept 9, 1087 as the result of being thrown from his
horse while riding through the flaming ruins of Mantes.  In character he was
pious, temperate, and ruthless, but rather as a matter of policy than of
inclination.  A brave fighter, a good general, a superior administrator, he
gave England a reasonably well-ordered and peaceful government.
                                                      by E. R. Adair
Matilda, queen of England is a decendent of  of Ethelred II