William II of England

William II of England

William II of England (c. 1056 – 2 August 1100), also known as William Rufus, was the third son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. He was King of England from 1087 until his death in 1100. His reign was marked by a series of military campaigns in both England and Normandy, as well as tensions with the Church and his own nobles.

William II's relationship with the Church was fraught with conflict. He is perhaps best known for his disputes with Anselm of Canterbury, the Archbishop of Canterbury. These disputes primarily revolved around the rights of investiture and the independence of the church, reflecting broader conflicts between church and state in medieval Europe.

In Normandy, William II's reign was characterized by ongoing hostilities with his brother, Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy. The brothers' rivalry stemmed from their father's division of his territories between them, with William inheriting England and Robert receiving Normandy. This division led to frequent conflicts over their respective rights and territories.

William II's death in 1100, while hunting in the New Forest, remains a subject of historical debate and speculation. He was killed by an arrow, but whether this was an accident or an assassination has never been conclusively determined. His death led to the accession of his brother Henry I, who succeeded him as king.

William II's reign is often overshadowed by the achievements of his father, William the Conqueror, and the administrative reforms of his brother, Henry I. However, his tenure as king was a significant period in the development of the English monarchy, particularly in its relations with the nobility and the church.