William Rufus was the third child of William the Conqueror. Born in Normandy in around 1056/1060, he was originally schooled under the tutelage of Archbishop Lanfranc. Following the death of his brother Richard, he rose to greater prominence within the house of William. His elder brother Robert, proved to be a rebellious thorn in the side of William the Conqueror, whilst William proved to be a reliable heir. Upon his father’s death, the homeland of Normandy was granted to Robert, with William being made King of England to reward his loyalty.

William was crowned King of England on 26th September 1087. His regency was threatened from its inception due to the feudal nature of England. The Barons of England held land in Normandy and England, and therefore owed allegiance to two Lords. The divisions within the family were apparent after William had sided with his father against his brother, and thus, relations between Normandy and England were fragile. The Baronets of England had to be extremely aware of their actions to ensure that they did not upset either ruler or they ran the risk of their displeasure. Due to the fragility of his rule, a plot between the Barons was formulated to depose him and replace him with his brother. The plot ultimately failed, and William laid claim to hegemony over the Norman homeland in 1089, and backed by the wealth that he had amassed as ruler of England he began to influence the proceeding in his brother’s province. In 1096, his brother answered the Crusader call of Pope Urban and sold the lands of Normandy to William under a 3 year lease using funds raised through the Dane geld tax upon the English.

During Robert’s absence, the Norman’s influence ascended in the French provinces, with the reclamation of Maine and Vexin (both lost under the sole rule of Robert.) William further demonstrated his military prowess against the rebellion of the Earl of Northumberland, and he also waged war on the Celtic peoples of Scotland and Wales.

Within the 10 year period of 1089 – 1099, William subjugated his people by means of force, cunning, taxes and bribery, greatly enlarging the wealth of his realm. His rule coincided with a period of manipulation of the Church, following the death of his mentor Lanfranc, his court became known for less sobriety and greater extravagance; a direct opposite to the reign of the Conqueror. The imposition of the Dane geld to fund his acquisition of the lands of Normandy, heralded a period of taxation of the Church and its lands, a weakening of the bishoprics and abbeys’ powers by slow appointment of clergy and by choosing men he foresaw as puppets. It was his appointment of Anselm as Archbishop of Canterbury which proved to be the bane of his reign. The intended co operation between Anselm and William failed to materialise, with Anselm breaking England’s neutrality in their support of the dual claimants for the Papacy. Anselm’s support for Pope Urban, led to William rebutting many of the decrees passed by him and his insistence in meddling in Anselm’s autonomy led to his departure to France.

William died in the midst of planning further military campaigns , whilst hunting in the New Forest. He was hit in the heart by an arrow, that has led to much speculation, was it deliberate or accidental. William Rufus never married, and left no children to accede to his throne. Therefore the rule of England and Normandy passed to his brother Henry, the Conqueror’s fourth son.

1. Profile [obverse] [reverse] 1087-90
2. Cross in quatrefoil[LINK] 1090-93
3. Voided cross[LINK] 1093-96
4. Cross with trefoils[LINK] 1096-99
5. Floriated cross with wedges[LINK] 1099-1100