William, the illegitimate son of "Duke Robert of Normandy, is camped on the South Downs of England. He contemplates the battle that is to come. While his father went by the epithet "The Magnificent", William lived in the shadow of his birth and was known by all as le Bâtard. But none call him that now - not in his hearing. None dare. William takes the responsibilities of Normandy while still only a boy, and he quickly becomes a feared and ruthless warrior, fighting to retain his birthright.

When the opportunity arises for him to extend his arm across the Channel, he seizes it. The childless King of England, Edward the Confessor, a cousin, makes him his successor, but the English Saxons will never accept a Norman King. So an invasion is planned and a strategy developed.

All that stands between him and his ambitions is a battle-weary army, following their King Harold. William has a strong sense of destiny. God is on his side. But you can never rely on divine intervention, so his battle strategy is in place.

This is William's story, tracing his journey from Boy Duke to King of England.