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| Depiction in Historia Anglorum (1253) |
Birth name: Williame de Normaundie
Born: c. 1057, Duchy of Normandy, Kingdom of France
Father: King William I of England 'The Conqueror'
Mother: Lady Matilda of Flanders
House: Normandy
Nationality: Norman
Religion: Catholicism
Claim: Child of William I 'The Conqueror' and chosen by William I 'The Conqueror'
Reign: 26 September 1087 - 02 August 1100 (12 years)
Coronation: 26 September 1087
Predecessor: William I 'The Conqueror'
Successor: Henry I 'Beauclerc'
Died: 02 August 1100 (aged 43), New Forest, Hampshire, Kingdom of England
Cause: Murder or accident by arrow-shot
Burial: Winchester Cathedral
Motto: N/A
Spouse(s):
- N/A
Children:
- N/A
Appearance:
William was described as not being very tall, but strong in build.
He had fair hair in his youth that seems to have gradually turned red, which resulted in his nickname of 'Rufus'. However, his nickname also could be due to the fact that he was reported to have a very flushed complexion.
It's also noted that his eyes were two different colours, a result of heterochromia.
Character:
Throughout much of his life, William was regarded as rather ruthless, especially in his military pursuits, and when arguing and fighting with his brothers (which was very frequent). He often bullied his older brother, Robert, and enjoyed antagonising him and pulling pranks on him.
Though he was a talented soldier, he was not very well liked by the majority of the people around him, especially members of the clergy. William disliked the English people in return, and notably hated English culture.
However, he was also noted to be quite wise and chivalrous.
Biography:
William was born some time around the year 1057 in the Duchy of Normandy, and was the third of ten children born to King William I of England, and his wife, Lady Matilda of Flanders, a grand-daughter of the King of France.
Not too much is known about his early life, other than the fact that he was frequently at odds with his brothers, with both him, Richard, and Henry often ganging up on the eldest brother, Robert. Unfortunately, William's older brother, Richard, would die in a horse riding accident in the New Forest, thus increasing his position in the line of succession.
Upon his father's realisation that he was dying in 1087, William I decided to divide his lands between his two eldest surviving sons, with Robert receiving the Duchy of Normandy, and William receiving the Kingdom of England. However, the rivalry between the two brothers had continued long into adulthood, and Robert believed that he should inherit both lands as the eldest son. Yet it was William who was able to win favour with the people of England, and he was able to gain the majority of the support for his claim.
While king, William never married, and it has long been speculated that he was homosexual. He never even took a mistress, as was commonplace for royal and noble men of the time period. However, some argue he may have simply taken a vow of chastity, or been put off the idea of marriage by a huge quarrel he had witnessed between his parents. Furthermore, even same-sex relationships could not often be kept completely secret, and the scandal of such rumours would have survived throughout history, but there is no record of any male lovers either. William, therefore, could have also been on the asexual spectrum.
Either way, William never produced any children, and his frequent fights with his brothers created an unstable atmosphere for a successful succession.
However, William and Robert were briefly able to make amends to a point where they agreed to be each other's heirs should either of them die without producing any legitimate children. This was mainly due to Robert needing money to join the First Crusade, where William also ruled as his regent in Normandy. William was also able to reach a shaky truce with his youngest brother, Henry.
In 1100, William went on a hunting trip to the New Forest with a group of other noblemen. What happened next is unclear, but William would ultimately be found deceased, having been shot through the lung with an arrow.
It is not known whether this was an accident or an act of regicide, though it is more widely believed to have been an accident given how dangerous of a sport hunting could be.
The nobles that had accompanied him, fearing the chaos that would inevitably follow the death of the king, abandoned his body and fled the scene to return and protect their own lands and interests.
Rule:
Despite being unpopular for most of his reign, his rule is largely regarded as quite successful.
As a military leader, he was able to protect England from threats of invasion, and defended the north of England from Scottish forces. His expanded protection of the north saw the building of many new fortresses in Cumberland and Westmorland.
Although William was not present for this, his Norman forces were able to kill King Malcolm III of Scotland, alongside his son. Better defensive barriers were also created in the Welsh Marches, protecting yet another border within the kingdom. He was also able to ruthlessly crush rebellions from his brother, Robert, as well as the Earl of Northumbria.
While acting as regent in Normandy, he was also able to capture more French land, expanding Norman territory into Maine.
However, William's reign also oversaw tensions between both himself and the church, largely due to reform disagreements between himself and the Archbishop of Canterbury. Despite this though, William did display generosity to the church, such as supporting Pope Urban II against a rival claimant, and assisting in the building of abbeys.
Trivia:
- William died in the very same forest that had also claimed his older brother's life several years earlier - both deaths being tragic accidents.
- A stone now marks the location where William was killed, known as the 'Rufus Stone', which can be found near the A31 road in Hampshire.
Quotes:
"Hold on there, my lords! I'm actually a thoroughly bad person, a hundred times worse than you think!"
"Yesterday I hated him [Archbishop of Canterbury] with great hatred, today I hate him with yet greater hatred and he can be certain that tomorrow and thereafter I shall hate him continually with ever fiercer and more bitter hatred."
Timeline of Reign:
| 1088: Rebellion of 1088 - Rebellion led by Bishop Odo of Bayeux in favour of Robert fails
| 1090: Rouen Riot - William fails to take control of Rouen from Robert.
| 1091: Scotland invades England - English victory against Scotland.
| 1095: Robert Duke of Normandy imprisoned - William captures and imprisons his brother.
| 1097: Construction of Westminster Hall begins - Great hall begins construction to show off power.
| 1097: Exile of Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury - Anselm exiled by William.
| 1098: Capture of Northern Maine - William successfully captures from France.
Sources & Further Reading:
Cartwright, M. (2019). William II of England. World History Encyclopedia. https://www.worldhistory.org/William_II_of_England/
Cripps, T. (n.d.). William Rufus. Historic UK. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/William-Rufus/
PixelToCode pixeltocode.uk. (2013). William II | Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey. https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/royals/william-ii
The Death of William II. (2017). Reading Museum. https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/blog/death-william-ii
William II | Biography & Facts. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-II-king-of-England
William II of England.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. (2022). Wikimedia.org. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_II_of_England.jpg
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