Vimont, site of the battle of Val-es-Dunes
William and King Henry I of France's victory against the enemy from within
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Site history
After having escaped his assassins in 1046, William of Normandy was to meet with them once more in the spring of 1047 during the first pitched battle of his lifetime. It took place to the east of Caen where the rebellion had led to a genuine military confrontation.
William's overlord, Henry I, King of France, came to his rescue. In the vicinity of the village of Billy, in the Caen plain, the rebellious vassals were drowned or chopped into pieces before their very eyes. Their chiefs were killed or forced into retreat. Normandy was William's and William's alone. The young duke's victory was total and was to decisively seal his claim as Duke of Normandy. The following day, he gathered Normandy's aristocracy in Caen and proclaimed the Truce of God. A stele was erected in Vimont in 1841, in memory of the battle.
Pratical information on the site
Adress:
Site de la bataille
Val ès Dunes
14370 ARGENCES