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- WILLIAM II (1057?-1100) became king of England in 1087. He was the son of William I, the Conqueror. William II was called Rufus, meaning red, because of his ruddy complexion. He was an effective and powerful ruler. But his personal morality and his infringements on church rights led the clergy to denounce him and have given him a bad reputation among historians.
In 1088, several powerful Norman barons revolted against William. He put down the revolt and thus strengthened his position as king. Later, he gained control of Normandy by financing the crusading ventures of his brother Robert, Duke of Normandy. He also invaded Scotland and brought it under his control in 1097.
William's reign was marked by a bitter quarrel with the Roman Catholic Church. After the archbishop of Canterbury died in 1089, William did not appoint a replacement so that he could collect the district's revenues for himself. When William fell seriously ill in 1093, he welcomed Anselm as archbishop in order to atone for his sins. But when he recovered his health, he forced Anselm into exile. An arrow shot by a fellow hunter killed William while he was hunting. The clergy refused to give him a church funeral.
26 Sep 1087 > 2 Aug 1100 = reign of William II 'Rufus' of England
He was the second son of William the Conqueror. Many Norman barons thought that the eldest son, Robert, should be King and William Rufus had to put down some rebellions. He upset the church and took money from the monasteries. The Archbishop of Canterbury (Anselm) left England. In 1100 William was killed by an arrow while he was hunting in the New Forest. No one knows exactly what happened.
Update: from Queen's Official Web Site 8/10/97.
William II
William extended his father's policies, taking royal power to the far north of England and helping to make Westminster the administrative centre of the kingdom.
Additional Information:
William II was the loyal son of William the Conqueror. He was a middle child, with an older brother Robert and a younger brother Henry. Robert betrayed his father, and so lost his claim on England to his brother (There was one other brother who had a better claim than William, but he died in an accident).
William and Robert got along poorly, and they spent much time sniping at one another. Several nobles who had been granted land in both Normandy and England by William I found themselves in the middle of the conflict. Due to William's abrasive personality, most of them sided with Robert and rebelled against William. Robert failed to offer support, however, so the rebellion was crushed by William. William then turned the tables on Robert by bribing the Norman barons for support. Eventually Robert sold Normandy to William for 10,000 marks and left on a crusade.
William gained his nickname, Rufus, from either his red hair or his red face. He was known for his terrible temper.
William was very unpopular with the contemporary church. He taxed the church heavily, much to the disgust of the clergy. His strategy briefly changed in 1093 when, thinking he was dying, he appointed a religious radical named Anselm as the Archbishop of Canterbury. This caused no end of problems for William as he then failed to die, and he was now stuck with a powerful and radical bishop. As an end result, England lost much of their autonomy from Rome.
There is some mystery surrounding William's death. He was killed in the New Forest during a hunt by a stray arrow hitting him in the eye. There is some suspicion of murder, since Henry his brother was also in the New Forest on that day. And within three days, he would be crowned king himself.
William Rufus and the First Crusade
William II, known as William Rufus, came to England to claim his inheritance in 1087. He quarrelled constantly with his brother, Robert Duke of Normandy. The dividing of the kingdoms effected their subjects many of who had lands in both England and Normandy and now had to pay allegiance to two Sovereigns. Finally Robert pawned Normandy to William Rufus in order to embark on the First Crusade.
William Rufus ruled over England for 13 years. The English welcomed him because they dreaded returning to the chaos of pre-Conqueror days. Many, though, might have preferred Henry, the third son who was born in England after William and Matilda became king and queen.
William Rufus also had the support of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lanfranc. He understood William Rufus and in many ways controlled him but when he died in 1089 William Rufus became more treacherous than ever, he made many enemies and in 1100 whilst out hunting in the New Forest he was mysteriously shot by an arrow.
Prince Henry who was part of the hunting party made straight for the royal treasury at Winchester. Three days later he was crowned king.
William Rufus, the Red, was short, fat, red faced and red haired.
Walter Tirel, Lord of Poix, killed William Rufus on behalf of Henry who, three days later was crowned king. Tirel was allowed to escape and Henry gave special favours to his wife's family, the Clares of Essex who were close friends of the new king and who were also in the hunting party when the fatal arrow was fired.
GIVEN_NAMES: Also shown as William Ii "Rufus"
BIRTH: Also shown as Born 1060
- Learn more about English pastimes like playing blackjack so you can play black jack on your next vacation and take advantage of the great blackjack odds.
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1057 - 1100
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