# William the Conqueror — Leviathan character guide

> William the Conqueror in Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0003-part-i-of-man

## Who they are

Norman king who conquered England in 1066, used as a historical example.

## In the story

### [Of the Nutrition and Procreation of a Commonwealth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/xxiv-of-the-nutrition-and-procreation-of-a-commonwealth)

Cited as an example of a conqueror who distributed lands to subjects, establishing that property is held by the victor's distribution.

### [A Review, and Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/chapters/a-review-and-conclusion)

Hobbes uses the example of William the Conqueror to argue that the right of kings of England should not depend on the goodness of his cause but on possession, warning against justifying successful rebellions.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/characters/william_conqueror
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/leviathan_se/characters