In 1066, Duke William II of Normandy defeated Harold at Hastings to become the King of England; however, he continued to rule his French possessions, including Jersey, as a separate entity, as fealty was owed as a Duke to the King of France. This relationship with England did not last long, as William split his possessions between his sons, Robert and William. William's son Henry recaptured Normandy for Englans in 1106. The islands remained part of the Duchy of Normandy until 1204, when King Philip II Augustus of France conquered the duchy from King John of England; thanks to Pierre de Préaux, a governor of Rouen who possessed the isles, who decided to support King John, the islands remained in the personal possession of the English king and were described as being a Peculiar of the Crown.