GUILLAUME de Normandie, illegitimate son of ROBERT II Duke of Normandy & his mistress Herlève --- (Château de Falaise, Normandy [1027/28]-Rouen, Prioré de Saint-Gervais 9 Sep 1087, bur Caen, Abbé de Saint-Etienne). Guillaume of Jumièges records that “Roberto Duce...Willelmum filium suum” was born “apud Falesiam”[280]. His birth date is estimated from William of Malmesbury, according to whom Guillaume was born of a concubine and was seven years old when his father left for Jerusalem[281], and Orderic Vitalis, who states that he was eight years old at the time[282]. Deville suggests that Guillaume´s birthdate can be fixed more precisely to [mid-1027], taking into account that his father Robert occupied Falaise immediately after the death of his father Duke Richard II (23 Aug 1026), not wishing to accept the authority of his older brother Duke Richard III, but that Robert´s stay was short as the two brothers were reconciled soon after, it being reasonable to suppose that Robert´s relationship with Guillaume´s mother occurred soon after his arrival at Falaise[283]. According to Orderic Vitalis, Alain III Duke of Brittany was appointed his guardian during his father's absence in 1035[284]. He succeeded his father in 1035 as GUILLAUME II Duke of Normandy. Orderic Vitalis records that, after the death of Duke Robert in 1035, “Willermus filius eius...octo annorum” succeeded and held “ducatum Normannorum” for fifty-three years[285]. After Duke Alan was poisoned, Orderic Vitalis records that Gilbert Comte d'Eu was appointed guardian but was himself murdered[286]. Duke Guillaume helped Henri I King of France to defeat Geoffroy II "Martel" Comte d'Anjou at Mouliherne in [1045/55][287]. Edward "the Confessor" King of England may have acknowledged Guillaume's right to succeed to the English throne on several occasions, maybe for the first time during a visit to England in 1051 which is recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle[288]. Comte du Maine 1063, after he conquered the county.In [1064/65], Duke Guillaume interceded with Guy de Ponthieu Comte d'Abbeville to secure the release of Harold, son of Godwin, in return for Harold's acknowledgement of Guillaume as successor to the English throne according to the portrayal of the event in the Bayeux tapestry. Harold's visit to Normandy, and swearing allegiance to Duke William, is recorded by William of Jumièges[289]. According to Eadmer of Canterbury, the reason for Harold's visit was tonegotiate the release of his brother Wulfnoth and nephew Haakon, both of whom had been hostages in Normandy since 1051. On his deathbed King Edward "the Confessor" bequeathed the kingdom of England to Harold. Duke Guillaume branded Harold a perjurer and appealed to Pope Alexander II for support. After receiving a papal banner in response to this request, William gathered a sizable army during summer 1066 ready for invasion. After some delay due to unfavourable weather conditions, the army set sail for England from Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme 28 Sep 1066[290]. He defeated and killed King Harold at Hastings 14 Oct 1066, and made his way to London where he was crowned 25 Dec 1066 as WILLIAM I "the Conqueror" King of England.