NOTE: In the historical biographies on this web site, all capitals means the individual is a direct ancestor.
Also, I've color-coded my ancestors' names so that
Schmitt is white
Larson is blue
Farr is red
Helgeson is yellow
and indirect relatives are black.
If I'm related to them through more branches than just one, then there will be a mix of colors.
William of Normandy
WILLIAM was perhaps the most famous descendent of ROLLO’S. The son of Robert the Magnificent, duke of Normandy, he marched to conquer England soon after Edward the Confessor died. The following battle is known as the Battle of Hastings, which took place in the year 1066. WILLIAM the CONQUEROR was in fact related to Edward the Confessor through the late king’s mother, but WILLIAM’S rival, HAROLD II, had better claim—Edward had named Harold as his successor. To complicate matters, Harold beforehand had sworn on oath that he would help WILLIAM to receive the throne. HAROLD II would not give to WILLIAM what he had promised
WILLIAM had always had rivals: when he was eight (1035 or 1036) he became duke, and the first years were dangerous for his life and his rule. Some members of the family tried to take over, but when he subdued rebellious Normans in 1053-4 and 1057, no one issued strong enough claims to his duchy.
William was powerful both in his stature and his personality, also possessing an unbreakable will and over-the-top cruelty. Perhaps this was why he had so many accomplishments; apparently he would strike awe in those who met him.
Harold Sigurdsson III
(Harold the Hard HAROLD HARDRADA –“wise in council”)
King of Norway and half-brother of ST. OLAF, HAROLD SIGURDSSON allied himself with Tostig, the brother of HAROLD II and once earl of Northumbria. Tostig lost his earldom in 1065 from a local rebellion, and--blaming HAROLD II for not assisting him--eventually joined Harold SIGURDSSON on an attempted conquest of England. HAROLD II and his army caught HAROLD SIGURDSSON and his army during an afternoon nap. The Vikings had no time to arm themselves properly, and they refused to retreat, so what followed was the battle of Stamford bridge. Both HAROLD HARDRADA and Tostig were killed, thus ridding an opponent for William the Conqueror who arrived three days later.
Harold II (HAROLD GODWINESON)
HarOld II was one of the many children of GODWINE. One of GODWINE’S daughters, Edith, married Edward III, the Confessor. Edward, when he died, had no heirs to the throne, so he named his brother-in-law, HAROLD II, who was close to the king, as the next in right to the throne.
Sources:
Last updated 05/09/2005
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