William of Normandy, known as 'the Conqueror', was born at Falaise in 1027, a natural son of Robert, Duke of Normandy and a girl called Herleve. He invaded England and defeated King Harold II at the ...

adding a lion to William the Conqueror's two when he married Eleanor of Aquitaine, probably to represent his marriage into that family. The three lions shield can be seen today on the England ...