WILLIAM RUFUS
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/8/6/12864487/1708366.jpg)
William II was the second surviving son of William the Conqueror and was born in 1056. He was nicknamed William Rufus (William the Red) because of his very red cheeks.
Normally, it is the eldest son who inherits the throne to become king, but William the Conqueror chose William Rufus instead, and for very good reason.
The eldest surviving son of William the Conqueror was called Robert Curthose (curthose was an insult meaning short legs). In 1077, Robert Curthose asked his dad if he could be the ruler of Normandy and Maine. William the Conqueror refused and Robert Curthose handled that rejection badly. Very badly!
Before William the Conqueror died, he named his successor as William Rufus. William Rufus was crowned on 26th September, 1087 by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In 1088, some Normans led a rebellion against William Rufus to put Robert Curthose on the throne. William Rufus and his army successfully defeated the rebels in Tonbridge, Pevensey and Rochester and had them exiled to Normandy. Luckily for William Rufus, most Normans were loyal to him and not his brother.
Robert Curthose rebelled and William the Conqueror and William Rufus went to war against him. Robert Curthose fled to Gerberoi, followed by William the Conqueror and William Rufus. During the battle, Rufus was wounded. After 3 years, Matilda of Flanders (the mother of both William Rufus and Robert Curthose) managed to convince her husband and sons to stop fighting.
William Rufus was actually quite an exciting king – he went to war with his brother to make sure his dad choose him to be king, then went to war with him again to stay king! His army were therefore very important to him and he needed them to stay loyal to ensure he could win wars.
Normally, it is the eldest son who inherits the throne to become king, but William the Conqueror chose William Rufus instead, and for very good reason.
The eldest surviving son of William the Conqueror was called Robert Curthose (curthose was an insult meaning short legs). In 1077, Robert Curthose asked his dad if he could be the ruler of Normandy and Maine. William the Conqueror refused and Robert Curthose handled that rejection badly. Very badly!
Before William the Conqueror died, he named his successor as William Rufus. William Rufus was crowned on 26th September, 1087 by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
In 1088, some Normans led a rebellion against William Rufus to put Robert Curthose on the throne. William Rufus and his army successfully defeated the rebels in Tonbridge, Pevensey and Rochester and had them exiled to Normandy. Luckily for William Rufus, most Normans were loyal to him and not his brother.
Robert Curthose rebelled and William the Conqueror and William Rufus went to war against him. Robert Curthose fled to Gerberoi, followed by William the Conqueror and William Rufus. During the battle, Rufus was wounded. After 3 years, Matilda of Flanders (the mother of both William Rufus and Robert Curthose) managed to convince her husband and sons to stop fighting.
William Rufus was actually quite an exciting king – he went to war with his brother to make sure his dad choose him to be king, then went to war with him again to stay king! His army were therefore very important to him and he needed them to stay loyal to ensure he could win wars.