The Norman Conquest was, in fact, the accession of William, duke of Normandy, to the English throne. This accession was not altogether a matter of military force, for William claimed a right to the throne, which, if not altogether perfect, was, as he maintained, at any rate superior to that of the prince against whom he contended. But the right to rule was, in those days, rather more openly and nakedly, though not much more really, than it is now, the right of the strongest.