# William the Conqueror — Essays character guide

> William the Conqueror in Essays by Thomas Paine.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** William

**First appearance:** 0003-of-monarchy-and-hereditary-succession

## Who they are

Norman king of England, criticized for usurpation and tyranny.

## Relationships

### [Mary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/mary)

_family_

Mary and William the Conqueror are likely ancestors or descendants, with a historical lineage connection.

### [Henry](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/henry)

_family_

Henry and William the Conqueror are related through royal lineage, possibly as father and son or uncle and nephew.

### [Thomas Paine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/thomas_paine)

_rivalry_

Paine criticizes William the Conqueror as a symbol of tyranny and illegitimate rule in his political writings.

### [François Noel Babeuf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/francois_noel_babeuf)

_rivalry_

Babeuf views William the Conqueror as a historical oppressor, contrasting with his egalitarian ideals.

### [Charles II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/charles_ii)

_family_

Charles II and William the Conqueror are distant ancestors and descendants in the English royal line.

### [George Chalmers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/george_chalmers)

_professional_

Chalmers, as a historian, writes about William the Conqueror in a scholarly but loyalist context.

### [Thomas Paine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/thomas_paine)

_rivalry_

Paine criticizes William the Conqueror as a symbol of tyranny and illegitimate rule in his political writings.

### [Thomas Paine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/thomas_paine)

_rivalry_

Paine criticizes William the Conqueror as a symbol of tyranny and illegitimate rule in his political writings.

## In the story

### [Common Sense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/common-sense)

Cited as a French bastard who imposed monarchy on England, illustrating the illegitimate origins of hereditary rule.

### [Of Monarchy and Hereditary Succession](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/of-monarchy-and-hereditary-succession)

Described by Paine as a French bastard and usurper who established English monarchy through conquest and banditry.

### [Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/thoughts-on-the-present-state-of-american-affairs)

Referenced as an example of oppression that could befall America if independence is delayed.

### [Of the Present Ability of America: With Some Miscellaneous Reflections](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/of-the-present-ability-of-america-with-some-miscellaneous-reflections)

Cited as an example of a conqueror who imposed law by force, warning against allowing a similar fate in America.

### [Royalty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/royalty)

Implicitly referenced in the discussion of the origin of royalty as brigandage and conquest.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/chapters/endnotes)

William the Conqueror appears in the 'Royal Pedigree' as the son of a whore, illustrating Paine's critique of hereditary monarchy.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters/william_the_conqueror
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_3_se/characters