William II and his reign as King of England
King William I, The Conqueror, died in Normandy in 1087. As the man lay on his deathbed he agreed to the release of all of his prisoners, except for Odo. William had to be persuaded to release his half-brother and he was also uncertain about who should inherit his vast territories.
William I had three sons and he did not have great faith in any of them:
Robert Curthose
Robert was William鈥檚 eldest son. He was disliked by many nobles in Normandy for his arrogance and laziness. In 1077 Robert鈥檚 younger brothers tipped a pot full of excrement over his head and Robert attempted to gain revenge. King William refused to punish his two younger sons and so Robert raised an army against his father. After his defeat he lived in exile for many years. In 1087, as King William lay dying, he reluctantly agreed to grant control of Normandy to Robert.
William Rufus
William was a more able diplomaticThe art of diplomacy, dealing with people or managing international relations in a skillful and tactful way. and a greater soldier than his older brother. At the time of King William鈥檚 death William Rufus was only 27 years old but was granted the Kingdom of England. William I鈥檚 decision to give Normandy to Robert and England to William Rufus meant that the two lands were now divided. William Rufus, now William II of England, fought to secure England against the supporters of is brother, Robert.
Bishop Odo was the leader of the rebellious Anglo-Norman barons and after William II defeated him and his followers in 1089, Odo was sent into exileWhen someone is away from their home country and is refused permission to return.. William II nearly died of a fever in 1093. Believing he was about to die he promoted Anselm to the post of Archbishop of Canterbury which had been vacant since the death of Lanfranc in 1093. Anselm was famous across Europe for his honesty and religious devotion and he encouraged William II to pay for Robert Curthose鈥檚 participation in the First Crusade in 1095. William agreed on the condition that Normandy would be used as a guarantee for the large loan. As soon as Robert set off William II began to consolidateMake more secure and or united. his own position in Normandy; England and Normandy were united again under one leader.
Henry Beauclerc
Henry was William I鈥檚 youngest son. He was 19 when his father died and did not receive any land from William, he was given 拢5,000 which he would use to create alliances and gain supporters, he was crowned King of England after the death of William II.