king of england from 1087 – 1100
(and powers over scotland)
(but he couldn’t take over wales)
(commonly known as “william rufus” because of his red-faced appearance)
effective soldier
ruthless ruler
not well-liked by his subjects
struggled against the church
(the historians who judged william II were church officials)
(questions about his sexuality)
in keeping with norman tradition, he scorned the english and their culture
william was a flamboyant character with a bellicose temper
he did not marry nor produce any offspring
(his chief minister was ranulf flambard)
(whom he appointed bishop of durham in 1099)
(this was a political appointment to a see that was also a great fiefdom)