1. What kinds of obstacles does William have to overcome as a boy?

2. How are William's childhood sports related to his later career? How does Costain reveal William's unusual strength? What evidence reveals both his intelligence and his learning?

3. How does William gain the respect of his peers? Cite examples from his childhood and his adulthood.

4. How do ideas about marriage in the Middle Ages differ from modern ideas about marriage?

5. What different strategies does William use to defeat his enemies? Why does he believe that he has a right to the throne of England?

6. Do you think William's sole motivation as a ruler is his own personal gain?