WILLIAM IL, King of England, surnamed Rufus, second son of William the con queror, was horn in Normandy in 1056. He was educated by the celebrated Lanfranc. archbishop of Canterbury. He was the favorite son of his father, who, on his death bed, recommended him to the barons and prelates as his successor to the crown of Eng land. William was, at the time of his father's death, along with him in Normandy. But no sooner had the event taken place than lie sat out for England. Landing at Do yen, lie obtained possession of its castle and of several other fortresses. He then pre sented himself to Lanfrane, who proposed him to the nobles and prelates as their king, No opposition was offered, and William was crowned on Sept. 26, 1087. Meanwhile, his -elder brother, Robert, had entered upon possession of the duchy of Normandy. The relative position of the brothers was such as, ilk these times, was sure to lead to war between them. Robert, at the instigation of Odo, bishop of Bayeux, endeavored to excite an insurrection in England. This attempt having failed, William, in revenge, invaded Nor mandy iu Jan., 1091. An arrangement haying been ultimately come to through the medi ation of Philip L of France, Robert and William then turned their united arms against their third brother, Henry, who had purchased from Robert the district of Cotentin, comprising nearly one-third of Normandy. The fortune of war went against Henry, who was driven Into exile. Returning, to England, William's next enterprise was an invasion of Scotland. The life of 'William seems to have been a continual scene of
strife. Returning from Scotland, lie felt himself called upon to renew the contest with his brother, who had, meanwhile, strengthened himself by an alliance with Philip of France. A pecuniary payment, however, by William to Philip soon dissolved the bond between him and Robert. William would now, doubtless, have taken signal vengeance on his brother, had he not been recalled to England by disturbances in Wales and in the nbrth. In the year 1096, Robert, having resolved to go to Palestine, sold his duchy of Normandy to William, for £10,000. This transaction led to a contest between William and a chieftain named Helie de la Fleche, who had all along disputed Robert's right to the Maine district of Normandy. Helie was not, however, able to withstand the Eng lish monarch, who now took the field against him. He was obliged to disband his forces and take to flight. This was the last warlike achievement of William Rufus. He was shot (it is said, accidentally, though there appears equally good reasons to believe the act intentional) by an arrow, supposed to come from the bow of sir Walter Tyrrel, while hunting in the New forest, Aug. 2, 1100. His body was found by a poor char coal-burner, who conveyed it in a cart to Winchester. William inherited the courage, energy, and political talent of his father, but he was ruthless and unprincipled.