William I of Normandy

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This article is about the ruler of Normandy. For others of the same name, see William Longsword.

Statue of William Longsword as part of the Six Dukes of Normandy statue in Falaise.

William Longsword (died December 17, 942) was jarl (ruler) of Normandy.

Little is known about his early years. He was born overseas in one of the many Viking territories before his father Rollo settled in northern France. William's mother was named Poppa; all that is known of her is that she was a Christian, and the daughter of a Count Berengar. According to the Planctus, he was baptized a Christian.

William succeeded Rollo sometime around 928. It appears that he faced a rebellion early in his reign, from Normans who felt he had become too Frankified. The following years are obscure. In 939 William became involved in a war with Arnulf I of Flanders, which soon became intertwined with the other conflicts of the reign of Louis IV of France. He was killed by followers of Arnulf while at a meeting to settle their conflict. His son Richard I of Normandy succeeded him.