Most historians say that this was an accident, and that the stray arrow was fired by Walter Tyrel, one of William’s companions. He was a harsh ruler and was not very liked. William II (c. 1056 — 2 August 1100), the second surviving son of William I the Conqueror, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers also over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. His mother was Mary Stuart. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Rufus (“the Red”—so named for his ruddy complexion) was William’s third (second surviving) and favourite son. However, feuds between William and his older brother caused instability throughout the reign. The younger William, - nicknamed Rufus because of his ruddy cheeks - at first had no great expectations of succeeding to the throne. Known as William Rufus because of his ruddy complexion, he was the third son of William the Conqueror (William I) and inherited the English throne from him. In 1100 Rufus was shot in the back with an arrow and killed while hunting in the New Forest in Hampshire. William faced opposition from Scotland and in 1091 he compelled Malcolm III, King of the Scots to acknowledge his overlordship. Updates? His mother gave birth to nine children. (1) The following 5 files are in this category, out of 5 total. William Rufus’ chief interest, however, lay in the recovery of Normandy from the incompetent Robert. The future William II was born in the late 1050s the third son of William the Conqueror. Omissions? William II, byname William Rufus, French Guillaume Le Roux, (born c. 1056—died August 2, 1100, near Lyndhurst, Hampshire, England), son of William I the Conqueror and king of England from 1087 to 1100; he was also de facto duke of Normandy (as William III) from 1096 to 1100. William II of England (c. 1056–2 August 1100) was the second son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. In 1096, Robert went on Crusade, mortgaging Normandy to William (for 10,000 marks), who raised the money by levying a heavy and much-resented tax in England. Test your knowledge of the Middle Ages, with a particular focus on England, in this quiz. In 1088, William faced a baronial rebellion inspired by his uncle, Odo of Bayeux, in favour of Robert. Henry promptly seized the English throne as King Henry I. He was King of England from 1087 until 1100. presentation in oxford to william iii , king of england, ireland, and scotland from 1689 until his death. Lanfranc proved to be one of William’s staunchest allies. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. When Robert left for a crusade in 1096, he mortgaged his kingdom to Rufus, who quickly added Maine to his possessions. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. However, there is the intriguing possibility that it was not an accident after all. He was a figure of complex temperament: capable of both bellicosity and flamboyance. Harold Godwinson (c. 1022 – 14 October 1066), also called Harold II, was the last crowned Anglo-Saxon king of England.Harold reigned from 6 January 1066 until his death at the Battle of Hastings, fighting the Norman invaders led by William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England.His death marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule over England. William II and his reign as King of England King William I, The Conqueror, died in Normandy in 1087. https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/secret-history-gay-kings-queens-england II the third son of William I of England was King of England from 1087 until 1100 with powers over Normandy and influence in Scotland. His attempts to undermine the authority of the English church provoked resistance from St. Anselm, archbishop of Canterbury, who, defeated, left the country for Rome in 1097; Rufus immediately seized the lands of Canterbury. Rufus (“the Red”—so named for his ruddy complexion) was William’s third (second surviving) and favourite son. The insurgency was suppressed, but the king failed to keep his promises. Read more. Find the perfect William Ii Of England stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. © William II (Rufus) was the King of England from 1087 to 1100 who ascended the throne upon the death of his father, William I the Conqueror. William II (c.1060–1100), king of England (1087–1100), known as ‘Rufus’, the second son of William the Conqueror, was a ruler whose reputation has suffered because of the opinions of contemporary ecclesiastics, appalled by his sometimes cynical attitude to religion. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). After waging war on Normandy for seven years (1089–96), Rufus reduced his brother to the role of a subordinate ally. Meanwhile, Rufus was engaged in military operations in Scotland, Wales, and particularly in Normandy. In 1089, he laid claim to Normandy and waged war against Robert, who he defeated and reduced to a subordinate role. William became England's king as a result of his father's death-bed bequest. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Old Friend. He had almost at once to face a rebellion in favor of Robert, led by their uncle Odo, Earl of Kent and Bishop of Bayeux. Corrections? This time William punished the ringleaders with such brutality that no barons dared to challenge his authority thereafter. Born in Normandy around 1056, William II or William Rufus, so named after his ruddy complexion, was the second surviving and the favorite son of William I. William II was clearly a divisive ruler, but he successfully extended Norman control over England, Scotland and, slightly less successfully, along the Welsh border. He prevented the dissolution of political ties between England and Normandy, but his strong-armed rule earned him a reputation as a brutal, corrupt tyrant. He was less successful in extending control into Wales. After the death of King William I … He was crowned on Sept. 26, 1087. William II of England, sometimes called William 'Rufus' for his red hair and complexion, reigned as the king of England from 1087 to 1100 CE.The son of William the Conqueror (r. 1066-1087 CE), the younger William was loyal to his father, unlike his elder brother Robert Curthose, and so it was he who inherited the crown of England. 1547 – 1553. In what year was the Magna Carta first granted? He kept bishoprics vacant to make use of their revenues, and had numerous arguments with Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093. He was less successful in extending control into Wales. Media in category "William II of England". William II of England (c. 1056–2 August 1100) was the second son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. William was commonly called " Rufus ", perhaps because of his red-faced appearance. Find out more about how the BBC is covering the. At his death in 1087, William I bequeathed his original inheritance, the Duchy of Normandy, to his eldest son, Robert Curthose. He William is commonly known as William Rufus (Rufus being Latin for 'the Red'), probably due to having red hair as a child. 12 Oct 1537 – 6 Jul 1553. Select from premium William Ii Of England of the highest quality. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. He was less successful in extending his control in Wales. William II (1056 – 1100), the third son of William I of England, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers over Normandy, and influence in Scotland. William was born in the Netherlands as Prince William Henry of Orange. In 1091 he compelled King Malcolm III of Scotland to acknowledge his overlordship. Whether his succession should be … He effectively restored peace in Normandy and ensured there was reasonably orderly rule in England. William was born in around 1056 and almost nothing is known about his childhood. Nevertheless, many Norman barons in England wanted England and Normandy to remain under one ruler, and shortly after Rufus succeeded to the throne, they conspired to overthrow him in favour of Robert. Thereafter, Rufus maintained the Scottish kings as vassals, and in 1097 he subjugated Wales. The earliest known king to be buried at Winchester is Cygnelis, d.643, but the most famous is William II, the son of William the Conqueror, who died in a hunting 'accident' in the New Forest in 1100 (he was probably murdered). William II, (born May 27, 1626, The Hague, Neth.—died Nov. 6, 1650, The Hague), prince of Orange, count of Nassau, stadtholder and captain general of six provinces of the Netherlands from 1647, and the central figure of a critical struggle for power in the Dutch Republic. William II (c. 1056 — 2 August 1100), the second surviving son of William I the Conqueror, was King of England from 1087 until 1100, with powers also over Normandy, and influence in Scotland.