WILLIAM II Rufus, king of England. — Third son and successor of William the Conqueror, born between 1056 and 1060, died 2 Aug. 1100. In foreign policy he followed his father’s line, but met with only limited success, particularly in Scotland. Domestically he proved despotic, even toward the Church. Especially after the death of LANFRANC (q.v.) of Pavia, he neglected episcopal and abbatial appointments, moreover seizing Church revenues or imposing heavy taxes upon the churches.
Severely ill in 1093, he promised St. Anselm of Bec a change of conduct. Yet once recovered he reverted to his former ways, frequently clashing with Anselm, who in 1097, against the king’s will, went to Rome and was only recalled to England after William II’s death by his successor Henry I. William was treacherously slain while hunting in the New Forest. He was a vicious, deceitful, cruel despot who failed to win the esteem or affection of his subjects.