William I of England – The Conqueror with a Sense of Humor

William I, also known as William the Conqueror, was a Norman nobleman who became the first Norman King of England in 1066. He was infamous for his military conquests and ruthless politics, but what most people don’t know is that he had a great sense of humor too.

William had a quick wit and loved to play practical jokes on his friends. One time, he invited his court jester to a feast and served him a roasted pig with an apple in its mouth. As the jester took a bite, he found a gold ring inside the apple, which made him so happy that he jumped up and down like a kid in a candy store.

Another time, William was feasting with his knights, and he noticed that one of them was bragging about his new horse incessantly. So he asked the knight to show him the horse, and when the knight was out of sight, William switched his horse with a donkey. When the knight came back, he was mortified to find his beloved horse transformed into a donkey, and everyone laughed at his expense.

William was also known to pull pranks on his enemies. During the siege of a castle, he ordered his soldiers to dress up as cows and sneak into the castle. When the defenders opened the gate to let in the cows, the soldiers overwhelmed them and took the castle by surprise.

William was a master of satire too. He wrote a mocking poem about his courtiers, which he recited at court, making everyone laugh and blush. He even poked fun at himself, saying that he was so fat that he took up more space in bed than his wife, Queen Matilda.

Despite his humorous side, William was a fierce warrior and a cunning strategist. He conquered England by defeating King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, and he ruled it with an iron fist for over two decades. But he never forgot to enjoy life and savor its lighter moments.

In the end, William’s legacy is not just his political and military achievements but also his ability to laugh at himself and at the world around him. He showed that even a conqueror can have a sense of humor and that laughter is the best medicine for life’s hardships.