| | William Rufus’ death is more notable than his life. He was killed by an arrow whilst hunting in the [[New Forest]]. It is not known if the shot was accidental, but certainly there is no evidence it was deliberate. His younger brother, Henry, who was nearby, took off to secure the treasury at [[Winchester]] and then to [[London]] to have himself crowned, as soon as he was told of the death. The offending archer, one Walter Tyrrel, took off to France; but appeared back in England some time later. Whether his return was allowed by Henry’s gratitude for a job well done, or his thankful [[acknowledgement]] of serendipity, cannot be known. | | William Rufus’ death is more notable than his life. He was killed by an arrow whilst hunting in the [[New Forest]]. It is not known if the shot was accidental, but certainly there is no evidence it was deliberate. His younger brother, Henry, who was nearby, took off to secure the treasury at [[Winchester]] and then to [[London]] to have himself crowned, as soon as he was told of the death. The offending archer, one Walter Tyrrel, took off to France; but appeared back in England some time later. Whether his return was allowed by Henry’s gratitude for a job well done, or his thankful [[acknowledgement]] of serendipity, cannot be known. |