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William I Longsword (914-17 December 942) was Duke of Normandy (as Count of Rouen) from 927 to 942, succeeding Rollo and preceding Richard I of Normandy.

Biography[]

William was born in Rouen, Normandy in 914, the son of Rollo and Poppa of Bayeux. He succeeded his father as ruler of Normandy in 927, and he defeated a rebellion by his Gallicized subjects and confirmed his authority. He recognized Rudolph of France as ruler of West Francia in 933, ceding territory to France as part of his fealty. He then campaigned against Brittany to seize disputed territories, and King Louis IV of France brokered a peace between the Normans and Bretons in 941. However, in 942, he was ambushed and murdered by supporters of his rival Arnulf I of Flanders as he met with him to make peace with him as well.

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