Mills-Martin Family Records - Person Sheet
Mills-Martin Family Records - Person Sheet
NameWilliam II NORMANDY Rufus, King of England 
Accession26 Sep 1087, Westminster Abbey, London5274, year only,5288 Age: 29
Death2 Aug 1100, New Forest, Hampshire, England5274, year only,5288 Age: 42
FlagsKing/Queen
Father“The Conqueror” William I NORMANDY King of England (1028-1087)
MotherMatilda OF FLANDERS (~1031-1083)
Individual Notes
• William II had utter contempt for the English church and extorted large sums of money from it. He occupied Normandy when Robert II left on a crusade, and gained control (1097) of the Scottish throne. He was killed while hunting, and his death may not have been an accident. His brother Henry I succeeded him.5286, p 3
• Reigned 1087-1100. His harsh rule aroused baronial and ecclesiastical opposition, notably from Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury. He made several attempts to recover Normandy from his elder brother Robert and was killed by an arrow while hunting. He may have been assassinated by order of his younger brother who became Henry I. Had red hair. He had little time for religion and presided over a liberal court but treated his subjects brutally. He was reluctant to fill church vacancies and waited four years to appoint Anselm.5288
• 1087-1100. WILLIAM II (Rufus), a passionate, greedy ruffian, second son of the Conqueror, designated by his father on his death-bed (Robert, the eldest, received Normandy; Henry, cash).
William, deeply hated, was assassinated (?) in the New Forest.5275, p 193
• Reigned 1087-1100. His harsh rule aroused baronial and ecclesiastical opposition, notably from Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury. He made several attempts to recover Normandy from his elder brother Robert and was killed by an arrow while hunting. He may have been assassinated by order of his younger brother who became Henry I. Had red hair. He had little time for religion and presided over a liberal court but treated his subjects brutally. He was reluctant to fill church vacancies and waited four years to appoint Anselm.5288
• 1087-1100. WILLIAM II (Rufus), a passionate, greedy ruffian, second son of the Conqueror, designated by his father on his death-bed (Robert, the eldest, received Normandy; Henry, cash).
William, deeply hated, was assassinated (?) in the New Forest.5275, p 193