William II - known as William Rufus Quiz

Answer: He used to carry a red shield into battle.

The truth is that no one knows why he got this name, though the most favoured explanation by historians nowadays is that he had a ruddy complexion. He was also renowned for his bad temper and his cruel deeds, but we have to remember that most of the details about him come from the chronicles of the Church which had reason to hate him and blacken his reputation.

Answer: Matilda of Flanders

In fact Adela and Cicely were two of William II's sisters and Sybilla was his sister-in-law (married to his brother Robert). Adela was also the mother of the future King Stephen.

Answer: Richard

Robert was the eldest son of the Conqueror. Richard was the second to be born and William II was the third son. William II also lost his life while hunting, though no one knows if it was accidental or not. Some historians point the finger of suspicion at the fourth son, Henry, who became Henry I at his brother's death.

Answer: The Duke of Normandy

The Duchy of Normandy was the title that William I held before the conquest in 1066. Inevitably when he split the empire that he created it caused turmoil amongst his surviving sons. Robert naturally assumed that England should belong to him as well. Poor Henry was given no land and just inherited 5,000 pounds of silver.

Answer: Lanfranc

Lanfranc of Pavia was the man who educated William Rufus when young but William II showed little interest in the church other than as a means of raising revenue. Anselm is the Archbishop with whom Rufus clashed later in his reign. Curthose was the nickname given to Robert and Beauclerk was the nickname of Henry I.

Answer: They led a rebellion against William II in 1088.

The rebellion was contrived in order to place Robert on the throne of England. However, most of Norman barons in England remained loyal to William Rufus and he captured the rebel strongholds of Tonbridge, Pevensey and Rochester. When captured the rebels were all exiled to Normandy.

Answer: He invaded Normandy.

This was basically a reprisal for the trouble that Robert had caused him. Willam made his headquarters in Eu and his army was so big that Robert quickly made a peace agreement.

Answer: Their brother Henry

Robert had sold a part of Normandy to his brother Henry. With the help of William II's massive army Robert was able to force him to give it back after a siege that lasted fifteen days.

Answer: All of these.

In addition to the above methods he also confiscated the property of people who were too weak to fight back. Naturally, he was unpopular with the Church which was just as ruthless in the way it fought back.

Answer: Ranulf Flambard

Ranulf was rewarded by William II by being made Bishop of Durham. After William's death he was imprisoned in the Tower of London by Henry I. Remarkably he became the first ever prisoner to escape from the Tower of London. He made his escape to France and joined the ranks of Robert's supporters. Later he was reconciled with King Henry.

Answer: Robert de Mowbray, Earl of Northumberland

William II considered the Earl of Northumberland to be a traitor and advanced first of all on Newcastle which he took and then to Tynemouth which also fell into his hands. Robert held out in Bamborough for a while. William was distracted by the news of a rebellion in Wales.

Answer: He needed the money to go on the First Crusade.

The pledge took place in 1096 and after his brother departed William II found himself preoccupied with troubles in Maine and in a dispute in the French territory of the Vexin.

Answer: He told them to rob the shrines of the saints.

Again the historian always has to bear in mind that the Church was not exactly an unbiased witness to the events of William II's reign. It was busy gathering as much wealth and power as it could and resented any challenge to its ambitions. Sorting propaganda from fact is practically impossible. The Church wrote the historical records.

Answer: The Rufus Stone

The Rufus Stone is triangular in shape and was erected in 1745 (645 years later) by Earl De La Warr. It is said to mark the spot where the arrow from Walter Tyrell's bow struck down the King on August 2nd, 1100. It is near the village of Minstead in the New Forest. No one knows whether it was accidental or pre-meditated murder.

Answer: Winchester Cathedral

His remains are said to be in a mortuary chest high above the choir area in Winchester Cathedral. Also in that chest are said to be the bones of King Canute and his wife Emma. Henry I immediately seized the throne of England in order to forestall any claim by his elder brother, Robert.