Base-born grandson of Richard, Duke of Normandy, William the Bastard had to fight for his crumbling heritage, then subjegate in battle his feudal lord the King of France. Spurned in love, he horse-whipped the lovely Princess Matilda, then made her his bride. Thwarted of a solemn promise of the throne of England by the Saxon Earl Harold, he sailed to a moment of destiny at Hastings...