William I—known as "The Conqueror" (1028-1087)—was Duke of Normandy from 1036, inheriting the title from his famed Norse ancestor, the Viking Rollo (also called Rollon “The Walker”), the founder of the Norman ducal line. He became King of England—under the name William II—from 1066 until his death, earning the crown after his victory at the Battle of Hastings. This battle marked the end of Viking expansion in England and the beginning of the Norman dynasty. 

Despite his weak claim to the throne, William consolidated his power through significant military campaigns in the region, replacing Saxon customs with French ones and immediately encountering resistance from much of the old English nobility. Although, like his ancestor Rollo, he had converted to Christianity, William was notorious for his ferocity and cruelty—traits befitting a Viking—both in politics and warfare. He amassed immense wealth and power, and it is estimated that he was among the richest monarchs in history. 

One of his most famous achievements was the creation of the *Domesday Book* in 1086, a detailed survey documenting the kingdom's assets following one of history's first censuses. This allowed William to measure the true extent of his wealth. However, his desires extended beyond riches—he also had an enormous appetite. In medieval nobility, eating excessively was a sign of good health, and William became so obese that he struggled to ride a horse. 

It was a disastrous fall from his horse in 1087 that led to his death. He suffered from peritonitis and died a few weeks later at the age of 59. Due to conflicts with his heirs and the nobility, his body was not immediately buried as a form of protest, causing it to decompose poorly. During his funeral at the church in Caen, the gases and fluids accumulated in his bloated corpse caused it to explode, covering those in attendance with foul matter and creating widespread disgust. 

A tragicomic death for a king who had taken so much in life, only to be left without even a proper body to bury in death.