William I of England, known as William the Conqueror, ruled from 1066 to 1087. Born in Normandy, he claimed the English throne following the death of Edward the Confessor ⓘ and secured it through victory at the Battle of Hastings. His accession marked a decisive break in English political and social history.

William introduced new systems of landholding and governance, redistributing estates to Norman followers and reinforcing royal authority through castles, charters, and administrative reform. His reign saw the reorganisation of the English Church and the commissioning of the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of land and resources that underpinned royal control.

In medieval art and institutional imagery, William is sometimes portrayed less as a warrior than as a founder and lawgiver, particularly in contexts emphasising royal grants and lawful foundation. Such representations stress continuity, authority, and the legitimacy of institutions rooted in royal sanction rather than conquest.