The sovereign nations in which encompassed the British Isles have had countless rulers, some naturally better than others. Each monarch had their own impact on the Crown and ultimately made their mark in history as the ruler of one of the strongest imperial states in the known world.
Kingdom of England (927 - 1707)
The Kingdom of England was the first sovereign state following the unification of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in 927. The ruling dynasties held important parts in history as each had significant events that culminated into their legacy that was left behind.
Norman Conquest (1066 - 1154)
The Norman Conquest began with the invasion of England by William I (1066-1087), better known by his epithet, William the Conqueror. The initial reaction was met by major revolts being led against his usurpation, but they were all later suppressed before he marched into north-east England. From there, he established Norman control of York and devastated the region. Like nearly all conquering forces of a nation, the Normans had many challenges set against them. Their primary issue was that they were fewer in number than the native English population. After William had successfully conquered ultimate possession of all properties in England, which his strong military had given him de facto control over, he ruled it in the typical feudal tenure in return for military service.
William I, the Conqueror (1028-1087)
William the Conqueror depicting him lifting his helmet at the Battle of Hastings, revealing that he still lived.
William I is renowned in history as the first Norman King of England. He was born to Robert the Magnificent and Herleva of Falaise in Falaise, Duchy of Normandy, speculated to have been around 1028. His official reign began in 1066 following the Norman Conquest, and it ended in 1087; his death. The time before his reign was marked by a long struggle to establish and secure his power, but by 1060 his hold on Normandy was secure, and he saw fit to officially launch the Norman Conquest of England six years later in 1066, which eventually gave way for him to establish himself as King. Though for the most part, he quelled the revolts that threatened his reign, after he became King, it seemed like a never-ending struggle to keep his consolidated power over England.