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WILLIAM II, Rufus, King of England 1087-1100

YearDay/MonthTitle
William Rufus (1087 - 1100)
1087 William Rufus gives Manor of Tewkesbury
 William Rufus gave the Manor of Tewkesbury to his cousin, Robert FitzHamon. Together with the patronage of the Priory of Tewkesbury.
Sep 26 William II (Rufus) crowned at Westminster
 William II (Rufus) was crowned at Westminster by Archbishop Lanfranc after the death of his father William the Conqueror.
 
1088 Earldom of Warwick created
 The earldom of Warwick was created by William II and given to Henry de Beaumont. Henry de Beaumont changed his name to Newburgh.
Feb Revolt against William Rufus
 Many Norman barons held land both in England and Normandy. With two opposing lords, William in England and Robert in Normandy, the barons were finding it difficult to know who to support. A revolt led by Odo sprung up in England with the aim of removing William from the throne. Odo's revolt in Kent and Sussex was supported by barons across the country. Roger Bigod from Norwich and Geoffrey of Coutances and Robert Mowbray from Bristol supported Odo. In Worcestershire Roger de Lacy captured Hereford and attacked Worcester. In the south-east Roger Montgomery at Arundel Robert Mortain at Pevensey and Gilbert de Clare at Tonbridge also prepared to fight the King. Robert of Belleme, a Norman baron, who was able to bring support from Normandy. Robert also controlled castles in the Welsh Marches where the revolt also took place.
Spring Worcestershire Rebellion put down
 The Worcestershire rebellion led by Robert of Lacy was dealt with quickly by Wulfstan, the Bishop of Worcester, who called on those knights and local landowners still loyal to the King to defend Worcester. Many of the rebels were captured or killed.
Spring William Rufus calls for support
 William Rufus had insufficient men at his disposal to deal with the rebellion in the south-east as there were too many ports to guard. The King called the representatives of the fyrd (the ordinary people of the country organised into an army) to a meeting in London where, with the support Lanfranc, he promised the people better laws and the removal of unfair taxes if they supported him against the rebels. The people agreed and together with the King they captured the castle at Tonbridge after a two day siege.
Apr Pevensey Castle siege
 William Rufus lay siege to Pevensey Castle where Odo had taken shelter with Robert of Mortain. The siege lasted for six weeks. Robert, the Duke of Normandy, sent a force to support the rebels at Pevensey but they were unable to land because the King had made sure the ports were well guarded. Robert admitted defeat and withdrew his support for the rebels. Odo had little choice, other than that to starve, and surrendered to the King. Odo agreed to go to Rochester where he would convince the rebels to accept William Rufus as the rightful King of England.
May William puts down the revolt
 Odo was accompanied to Rochester Castle by an escort but When they reached the castle the rebels captured the escort and refused to accept William Rufus as their King. Again William called for the people of England to support him against the rebels and together they lay siege to the castle. Odo surrendered when it was agreed that those in the castle would have their lives spared if the they came out. Odo and the rebels were allowed to leave but their lands in England were taken from them. Odo went into exiled in Normandy.
 
1089May 24 Lanfranc dies
 After the death of Archbishop Lanfranc William Rufus held open the post of Archbishop of Canterbury for four years taking the revenues for his own purposes.
 
1091Nov William Rufus renews agreement with Scots
 William Rufus renewed the arrangement that his father had with Malcolm III, King of the Scots. This may have included letting Malcolm have some areas of northern England. Even so this did not prevent further attacks on England in the north by the Scots.
 
1092 Tewkesbury Abbey Founded
 Robert FitzHamon, the cousin of William Rufus, together with Abbot Giraldus, founded the present Abbey at Tewkesbury.
 
1093Spring William Rufus seriously ill
 William fell ill early in this year and the illness was so serious that reports went out saying that he had died. William granted land to many religious houses in preparation for his death but when he recovered he claimed the land back.
Nov 13 Battle of Alnwick
 Malcolm III, the king of Scotland, and his son Edward were both killed at the battle of Alnwick in Northumberland. Malcolm had invaded England after William II had made moves to take more control over Cumbria and had fortified Carlisle.
 
1095 Robert Mowbray's Rebellion
 After attacking four merchant ships Robert Mowbray was called for by William Rufus to explain his actions. Instead Mowbray rose up in rebellion against the king along with other powerful Norman Barons.
 
1096 William buys Normandy
 Robert of Normandy became under pressure from William who laid claim to Normandy. William was gaining support from some Norman barons and Robert took the opportunity to leave Normandy to answer Pope Urban II's call for a Crusade. Robert agreed that William could lease Normandy for three years for a sum of 10,000 marks. This money would help him fund the expedition.
 
1099 Flambard is made Bishop of Durham
 Ranulf Flambard is made the Bishop of Durham by William Rufus.
 
Henry I (1100 - 1135)
1100Aug William buried at Winchester
 William Rufus was buried under the tower of Winchester Cathedral. The tower fell down (either in 1101 or 1107 ?). The cause was blamed on the wickedness of the King's bones but was probably due to poor construction or uncertain foundations.
Aug 2 William II (Rufus) is killed while hunting
 William II (Rufus) was (accidentally ?) killed while hunting in the New Forest. He was succeeded by Prince Henry, who became Henry I.

See Also

Anselm Archbishop of Canterbury
Edgar King of Scotland 1097-1107
Robert Mowbray
Ranulf Flambard
Robert of Belleme, Earl of Shrewsbury
Lanfranc Archbishop of Canterbury
WILLIAM I, the Conqueror, King of England 1066-1087
Henry Plantagenet I, King of England 1100-1135
 Tower of London
 Rochester Castle
 Carisbrooke Castle
 Pevensey Castle
 Battle Abbey
 Tewkesbury Abbey
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