General Notes

RELI Sources: Microsoft Encarta 1994 ed.He extended his power into Normandy and Scotland. His father onhis deathbed named him as his successor in England, leaving theduchy of Normandy to his eldest
son, Robert. William Rufus, ashe was known because of his ruddy complexion, was crowned inWestminster Abbey in 1087. The following year William's uncleOdo, bishop of Bayeux (1036?-97), led a
rebellion of Normanbarons who sought to unseat him in favor of Robert. William'sEnglish subjects, believing his promises of less oppressivetaxation and more liberal laws, helped him quell the
revolt. Theking, despite his promises, continued to pursue a domesticpolicy that was harsh and venal. William invaded Normandy in1089, 1091, and 1094, winning some concessions from his brotherRobert
II, duke of Normandy, each time. He forced the Scottishking Malcolm III MacDuncan (1031?-93) to pay him homage and in1092 seized the city of Carlisle and other areas claimed byMalcolm in Cumberland
and Westmorland. In 1096 Robert mortgagedNormandy to William for funds to finance a Crusade. William thenfought to recapture lands his brother had lost as duke ofNormandy and returned the county of
Maine to the rule of theduchy. After the death in 1089 of Lanfranc, the archbishop ofCanterbury, William delayed naming a successor. He held openvacant bishoprics and enriched himself with church
monies,incurring the displeasure of many ecclesiastics. In 1093 heselected Anselm, abbot of Bec, as the new archbishop, but theyquarreled over William's authority to control churchappointments.
William was killed. It is not known whether theslaying, which is traditionally ascribed to a Norman namedWalter Tirel (died after 1100), was accidental or intentional.William  never married and had
no children. His younger brothersucceeded to the throne as King Henry I. Other notes:William II(of England), called Rufus (1056?-1100), king of England(1087-1100), who extended his power into
Normandy and Scotland.He was the third son of William the Conqueror, king of England,who on his deathbed named him as his successor in England,leaving the duchy of Normandy to his eldest son,
Robert(1054?-1134). William Rufus, as he was known because of hisruddy complexion, was crowned in Westminster Abbey in 1087. Thefollowing year William's uncle Odo, bishop of Bayeux (1036?-97),led a
rebellion of Norman barons who sought to unseat him infavor of Robert. William's English subjects, believing hispromises of less oppressive taxation and more liberal laws,helped him quell the
revolt. The king, despite his promises,continued to pursue a domestic policy that was harsh and venal.Merged General Note: William II (of England), called Rufus(1056?-1100), king of England
(1087-1100), who extended hispower into Normandy and Scotland. He was the third son ofWilliam the Conqueror, king of England, who on his deathbednamed him as his successor in England, leaving the
duchy ofNormandy to his eldest son, Robert (1054?-1134). William Rufus,as he was known because of his ruddy complexion, was crowned inWestminster Abbey in 1087. The following year William's
uncleOdo, bishop of Bayeux (1036?-97), led a rebellion of Normanbarons who sought to unseat him in favor of Robert. William'sEnglish subjects, believing his promises of less oppressivetaxation and
more liberal laws, helped him quell the revolt. Theking, despite his promises, continued to pursue a domesticpolicy that was harsh and venal. Merged Note (Died): William waskilled on August 2, 1100,
while on a hunting trip in the NewForest in Hampshire. It is not known whether the slaying, whichis traditionally ascribed to a Norman named Walter Tirel (diedafter 1100), was accidental or
intentional. William was buriedat Winchester; he never married and had no children. His youngerbrother succeeded to the throne as King Henry I.
DATE 2 APR 1999