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WILLIAM II, (RUFUS) (c1060-1100) King of England, 1187-1100. Second son of William I, The Conqueror, was granted the Crown of England at the deathbed of his father, whilst Robert ‘Curthose’, the oldest son, became Duke of Normandy; decisions that caused much unrest amongst the barons who preferred a single ruler of both lands, and resentment from Robert.

''WILLIAM II, (RUFUS)'' (c1060-1100) King of [[England]], 1187-1100. Second son of William I, The Conqueror, was granted the Crown of England at the deathbed of his father, whilst Robert ‘Curthose’, the oldest son, became Duke of Normandy; decisions that caused much unrest amongst the barons who preferred a single ruler of both lands, and resentment from Robert.

William Rufus had a busy reign that left no discernible lasting legacy. Within a year of his accession he had to put down a rebellion on behalf of Robert led by his uncle Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. Two years later saw him invading Normandy, with the aim of destablizing his brother, whilst at the same time resecuring parts of the duchy in danger of being lost to barons. In 1091 he forced King Malcolm III of Scotland to swear homage, and captured the town of Carlisle. In 1094 he was back in Normandy, and managed to persuade Philip I of France to cease aiding Robert.  

William Rufus had a busy reign that left no discernible lasting legacy. Within a year of his accession he had to put down a rebellion on behalf of Robert led by his uncle Odo, Bishop of Bayeux. Two years later saw him invading Normandy, with the aim of destablizing his brother, whilst at the same time resecuring parts of the duchy in danger of being lost to barons. In 1091 he forced King Malcolm III of Scotland to swear homage, and captured the town of Carlisle. In 1094 he was back in Normandy, and managed to persuade Philip I of France to cease aiding Robert.  

In 1096 Robert left to join the First Crusade, pledging Normandy to William for finance for the Crusade, effectively giving William complete control of the duchy. He also made an unsuccessful foray into Wales.

In 1096 Robert left to join the First [[Crusade]], pledging Normandy to William for finance for the Crusade, effectively giving William complete control of the duchy. He also made an unsuccessful foray into Wales.

He fell out with St. Anselm, the widely respected theologian and Archbishop of Canterbury, over the matter of ecclesiastical investitures and banished him. Anselm only returned after William’s death.

He fell out with St. Anselm, the widely respected theologian and Archbishop of Canterbury, over the matter of ecclesiastical investitures and banished him. Anselm only returned after William’s death.