William II of England

William Rufus was killed while hunting on August 2, 1100 in the New Forest in Hampshire, probably near Brockenhurst. He was killed by an arrow through the lung, shot by one of his own men, a nobleman named Walter Tirel, lord of Poix in Ponthieu.

Although the circumstances of the incident were unclear, it was believed to be an assassination and Tirel killed William under orders from the king’s younger brother, Henry. Upon William’s death, Henry rushed to secure the royal treasury and was crowned within days, seizing the English throne as King Henry I.

After being shot to death, William’s body was abandoned by the nobles at the place where he fell. Later, a peasant found the body and it was taken to Winchester Cathedral by a few countrymen. His remains still rest in Winchester Cathedral.

William II or William Rufus was born around 1056 in Normandy, to William I the Conqueror, the King of England, and his wife, Matilda of Flanders. He was the third of four sons born in the royal family and also had several sisters.

Rufus had two elder brothers, Robert Curthose and Richard. In an unfortunate incident, Richard died around 1075 while hunting in the New Forest. Rufus also had a younger brother, Henry, and several sisters including Adela, Cecily, Agatha, and Constance.

Historical accounts suggest sibling rivalry and strained relations among the three surviving sons of William I. William Rufus or William Red, so named for his ruddy complexion, was believed to be King’s favorite son. Rufus received education from the Lanfranc of Pavia.

Shortly before his death, William I bequeathed his inheritance among his sons in accordance with feudal custom. He gave the Duchy of Normandy to his eldest son, Robert, left a sum of money to Henry, and declared William as his successor to the English throne.

Upon his father’s death in 1087, William Rufus ascended the throne and became the King of England. He was crowned the King by Lanfranc, the Archbishop of Canterbury, in September 1087.

Many nobles who owned lands on both sides of the English Channel wanted England and Normandy to remain under one ruler. They waged a revolt, known as the ‘Rebellion of 1088’, against William Rufus in favor of his elder brother, Robert, now Duke of Normandy.

The rebellion was led by some Normans including Odo of Bayeux, Robert of Mortain, and Richard Fitz Gilbert with the objective to overthrow Rufus and place Robert on the throne. However, King William received strong support from most Normans in England who remained loyal to him and his army successfully attacked the rebel strongholds at Tonbridge, Pevensey and Rochester.

In 1091, William invaded Normandy and took control over large areas of the Dukedom from Robert. He established his headquarters at Eu and after much discussion, peace was eventually made between the brothers.