William II (1087-1100)

Known as "Rufus", William was the second eldest of the Conqueror's surviving sons.

Although an effective soldier, he was a ruthless ruler and, it seems, little liked by his subjects - although the evidence we have for this is from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle ("hated by almost all his people") and the church with whom he was at odds for much of his reign. William was roundly denounced in his time and after his death for what was held to be a dissolute court. Some commentry suggests that William scorned the English and their culture.

In 1095 Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumbria, refused to attend the Curia Regis (the thrice-annual court where the King announced governmental decisions). William led an army against Robert and defeated him. The Earl was disposessed and imprisoned, and another noble, William of Eu, was accused of treason, blinded and castrated. William II may not have been as effective as his father in containing the Norman Lords' propensity for rebellion, but he was forceful and ruthless in resisting it.

In external matters William had some successes. In 1091 he repulsed an invasion by Malcolm III of Scotland and forced Malcolm to do homage. In 1092 he built a castle at Carlisle, taking control of Cumbria, previously claimed by the Scots. This led to a further invasion of England by the Scots, and Malcolm ravaged Northumbria before he and his son Edward were slain in the Battle of Alnwick (1093).

William attempted an conquest of Wales in 1096 and 1097 but was unsucessful.

In 1096, William's brother Robert of Normandy joined the First Crusade and, in order to raise money for the venture, pledged the Duchy to William for 10,000 marks.

As regent in Normandy, William campaigned in France from 1097 to 1099. He secured Maine but failed to seize the French-controlled Vexin. At his death he was planning to invade Aquitaine.

William was hunting in the New Forest in August 1100 when he was killed by an arrow through the lung. The circumstances of his death remain unclear. He was succeeded by his brother, Henry.