William FitzEmpress

He was born in the time known as The Anarchy, an 18-year civil war that disputed the succession of the English crown between his mother Matilda, the late king's daughter, and her cousin Stephen of Blois.

In 1151, Count Geoffrey died suddenly at age 38, leaving his wife and three teenage sons, with Henry becoming the new head of the Angevin Dynasty.

The plans were abandoned when their mother, Empress Matilda, objected: she did not consider Ireland worth conquering.

[6][7] Henry did, however, and he made William one of the richest men in England, granting him seven manors (Maldon in Essex; Dartford, Hoo, and Shorne in Kent; Aylsham and Cawston in Norfolk; and Hintlesham in Suffolk).

William died suddenly shortly thereafter, reputedly of a broken heart, and was buried in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Rouen.

When Breton delivered his fatal blow he shouted, "Take that, for the love of my lord William, the king's brother!