William II's succession (AQA GCSE History)

Summary

When William died in 1087, he was the undisputed ruler of both England and Normandy. However, his death led to another major crisis as William decided to divide the rule of England and Normandy between his sons. 

Robert the eldest son, became King of Normandy and William Rufus, the younger son, became King of England. Robert was deeply unhappy that England had been left to his younger brother, William Rufus, and felt England and Normandy should both be his. Six of the major barons agreed with him as well as his uncle Bishop Odo. Rufus learned of their plot against him and managed to bribe enough of them to ensure it did not go anywhere. By 1091, William Rufus and Robert Curthose had settled their differences.

William the Conquerer’s death

• William died in 1087, whilst fighting in a campaign against Philip I, the King of France 

  • During the Battle of Mantes, William’s horse stumbled which caused him to be thrown onto the pommel of his saddle

  • This led to serious internal injuries in his abdomen 

• He was bedridden for several weeks before finally dying on 9th September, 1087

  • William was buried at the Abbaye-aux-Hommes in Caen, Normandy

Issues with William II’s succession

• Historians believe that William the Conqueror and Matilda had at least nine children

• Unlike Edward the Confessor, William had three sons to inherit the throne after he died

  • However, the succession was still not straightforward

• William did not get on with his eldest son, Robert Curthose, and was said to have called him ‘proud and silly’

• As William lay dying, he made arrangements for his succession

  • He named his second son, William Rufus, as his chosen heir to the English throne

  • Robert Curthose was to inherit William’s lands in Normandy

  • Henry, the youngest son, was left a large sum of money

• Robert was angry as he believed that England was rightfully his under the Norman tradition of primogeniture

How did William Rufus become King of England?

• William Rufus presented a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury that stated it was William’s wish that Rufus be crowned King of England

  • Rufus was crowned William II, King of England, in Canterbury Cathedral on 27 September 1087 - but that did not end the matter

• It wasn’t just Robert Curthose that was unhappy with Rufus being crowned King

  • Many barons owned lands in Normandy and England and suddenly found they had to swear loyalty to both the King of England and the Duke of Normandy

  • Bishop Odo of Bayeux and six of the ten leading barons began to plot to rebel against Rufus

• Rufus learned of the plot from the Bishop of Durham and managed to bribe the barons into supporting him

  • Bishop Odo surrendered to Rufus

  • In 1091, Rufus travelled to Normandy and he and Robert Curthose reconciled their differences