WILLIAM II RUFUS, King of England. - Third son and successor of William the Conqueror, b. between 1056 and 1060, d. 2 Aug. 1100. In foreign policy he followed his father's line, but met with success only in regard to Scotland. At home he proved despotic, including toward the Church. Especially after the death of Lanfranc (v.) of Pavia, he neglected appointments to episcopal sees and abbeys, moreover seizing the revenues or imposing heavy taxes on the Churches.

Gravely ill in 1093, he promised St. Anselm of Bec a change of conduct. But after his recovery he continued as before, often coming into conflict with Anselm, who in 1097, against the King's will, came to Rome and only after the death of William II was recalled to his homeland by the successor Henry I. William was treacherously killed in a hunt in the New Forest. He was a vicious, false, cruel despot, who did not know how to win the esteem and affection of his subjects.

Bibliography5 works

BIBL.: Eadmero, Vita Anselmi e Historiae novorum, in Anglia, ed. M. Rule, ivi 1884; Guglielmo di Malmesbury, De gestis regum, ed. G. Stubbs, ivi 1887-89; Peterborough Chronicle, ed. C. Plummer, 2 voll., ivi 1892-99; E. A. Freeman, Reign of William Rufus, 2 voll., Oxford 1882; I. Belloc, Breve storia d'Inghilterra, vers. it., I, Roma 1934, pp. 117-21.

Lucchesio Spätling

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William II Rufus, King of England

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