William Rufus: In The Conqueror's Shadow?

Рет қаралды 16,292

3 ай бұрын

It’s time for us to explore what we know about William II, let’s see if we can bring him out of his father’s shadow…
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
SFX from freesfx.co.uk/Default.aspx
Linked videos and playlists:
Trials of Ordeal mentioned in: • "This Turbulent Priest...
Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):
Detail from the Bayeux Tapestry (1070s). Held by the Bayeux Museum.
Manuscript illumination showing William the Conqueror's children by an unknown artist (14th century). Held by the British Library, Royal MS 14 B vi.
Robert “Curthose” of Normandy by Henri Decaisne (1843). Held by the Palace of Versailles.
Robert Wounds His Father from James William Edmund Doyle’s “A Chronicle of England” (1864), page 109.
William injured at Mantes from James William Edmund Doyle’s “A Chronicle of England” (1864), page 112.
William the Conqueror brought back after his death to the church at Boscherville by Théodore Géricault (1823). Held by the British Museum.
Miniature of William II from Matthew Paris's Historia Anglorum (c.1253). Held by the British Library, MS Royal 14.C.VII.
Map of Cumbria, UK with districts shown (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi....
Relief map of England, UK (commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi....
Illustration in the Grandes Chroniques de France showing the death of King William II, known as William Rufus, while hunting (c.1274). Held by the British Library, Royal MS 16 G vi.
Quoted texts:
William of Malmesbury, De gestis regum Anglorum (1125)
Frank Barlow, ODNB entry on William II.
Kathleen Thompson, ODNB entry on Robert “Curthose”.
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
Also consulted, were:
Other relevant entries from The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online.
#History #Medieval #Norman

Пікірлер: 246

@laurachapple6795 3 ай бұрын

Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence, three times is a conspiracy!

@ReadingthePast 3 ай бұрын

I mean… this is hard to argue with! Also, if two of my near relatives had died doing a certain thing in a certain place, I probably wouldn’t do that thing there 🤷🏻‍♀️

@thhseeking 3 ай бұрын

I didn't know that there was an Edmund Blackadder all the way back then :P

@nickybenson3132 3 ай бұрын

Thanks so much Dr Kat for another very insightful video. 🌲🏹🌳

@dorian4534 3 ай бұрын

I was going to say something to this effect

@eshim3961 3 ай бұрын

After the second death, I think I would avoid going into the woods with my family.

@EmoBearRights 3 ай бұрын

I think Henry was a shrewd operator who got rid of his rivals in hunting 'accidents'.🏹

@renastone9355 3 ай бұрын

Well, the earlier accidents would have been when Henry was far too young to participate...

@ingerfaber3411 3 ай бұрын

@@renastone9355 Maybe he was inspired

@eliscanfield3913 3 ай бұрын

🌲🌲🌳🌳🌲🏹🦌🌳🌳🌲 That's a lot of huntiing accidents in a relatively short period of time for the same family.

@ellencook1658 3 ай бұрын

They seem to have gone to target practice with Star Wars storm troopers.

@TheHookahSmokingCaterpillar 3 ай бұрын

Proportionate to the amount of hunting they did?????

@carmencruz8731 2 ай бұрын

🦰🏹🐎

@jimmmmy41 3 ай бұрын

I love the history of the early Plantagenet kings. It's a time so much more remote; it's not really touched upon much in modern media. Among the few: portrayal of Edward I in Braveheart , and, of course, Peter O'toole's Henry II from Beckett and Lion in Winter.

@meganferraro8145 3 ай бұрын

Dr Kat can you please do a video about exile? How it worked... self imposed and banishment. It's such a fascinating subject but a difficult one to research.

@BeeKool__113 3 ай бұрын

Ooo!! What a great topic!! Yes, I too would love to know more about it. I often think to the various historical figures who were exiled such as Henry Bolingbrook or Henry IV and Charles II who went on to sit upon the throne. I agree that is a very fascinating topic!!

@MonsieurChapeau 3 ай бұрын

I agree, great topic for a video 👍

@callestra2007 3 ай бұрын

🤺⚔️🛡️Always a pleasure to hear your lectures on English history. Yep, Henry did it. The youngest, who played his brothers like a game made his move at the right time & won the throne.

@kirstena4001 3 ай бұрын

could you do a video on Matilda of Flanders? She sounds like a firecracker 😂

@kaloarepo288 3 ай бұрын

The name "Mathilda" means "strength of battle" and some of the prominent women who have held that name have certainly demonstrated this attribute. One such was the dowager empress Mathilda the mother of Henry II and also the little known (to Anglo audiences anyway) Mathilda of Canossa countess of Tuscany who in alliance with pope Gregory VII took on the emperor Henry IV and forced him to repent in the snow outside the fortress of Canossa in northern Italy.Countess Mathilda later made a saint is reputed to have actually lead her armies in battle. In Europe "Going to Canossa" means having to eat humble pie.Countess Mathilda was actually one of the great women of medieval history.

@Bobrogers99 3 ай бұрын

@@kaloarepo288 Yes, Mathilda was one of the "greats" in a time when few women had the opportunity to affect history. But my most favorite is Eleanor of Aquitaine.

@user-qr9dn6lf3l 3 ай бұрын

🫅🎯. I'm sure the fact that brother Henry was also in the New Forest and high-tailed it to Winchester for a coronation was a pure coincidence. Definitely an accident 😉

@ammiller3911 3 ай бұрын

Loved it as usual! You could read the ingredients list on the back of a bottle of dish soap, and it would be the classiest thing I've ever heard.

@joanwerthman4116 3 ай бұрын

I think Henry was behind both the murder and the subsequent bad pr against William Rufus. Not that the abbies didn't have their own grudge; but there was always a tendency for chronicles to stick to the current monarch's view of their rivals or former rivals. ⚔️

@karensilvera6694 3 ай бұрын

I've always found him interesting because he's added like a footnote to most historians'videos. But that death is just so Agatha Christie IMO. Thanks for filling in some info. You are wonderful.

@ReadingthePast 3 ай бұрын

Thank you, you are very kind ☺️

@charlotteillustration5778 3 ай бұрын

Fascinating - thank you! A refreshing break from the Tudors and a story I knew very little about. 😊

@aarondemiri486 3 ай бұрын

Really enjoyable to learn about the early Norman kings of England. William and his sons make for a good yarn.

@barkingsquirrel7166 3 ай бұрын

Brother against brother, son(s) against father. It brings to mind Henry II's unruly band of sons. Plus ca change... Actually, would love to hear your take on family relations in the reign of Henry II. 👑🐥🎯🐣🎯🐥👑

@R08Tam 3 ай бұрын

The Italians have a saying "brothers, daggers" ; plus cá change

@mikebarrow157 3 ай бұрын

The novel "Wolf Time" by George Shipway set me on the side of Rufus (tacitly) throughout my education.

@cindchan 3 ай бұрын

I'll be adding that to my to-buy book list. Thank you!

@mikebarrow157 3 ай бұрын

@@cindchan Not sure if it's still in print. I read it @ 40 years ago! The author also wrote another called Knight in Anarchy - excellent!😃🏰⚔

@soletey832 3 ай бұрын

⚔👑 I am currently trying to memorize the list of kings from William I to James, your content helps me with that.

@ReadingthePast 3 ай бұрын

Horrible Histories has a song for you 🤩

@pennyatkinson5740 3 ай бұрын

Thank you Dr Kat!! Such rivalry between brothers may account for all those "accidents '!

@brendajordan2844 3 ай бұрын

I would be very interested in a video on Matilda as well. Great presentation!🌳

@gonefishing167 3 ай бұрын

Thank you Dr Kat. You must admit they were an interesting family. They left a legacy that gave historians a lot of glee for years - up to, and including, the present day. Everyone wants the heir and the spare but back then it was the law of the jungle. Matilda , their mother, was just under 5 feet it has been said. Myself , I am not quite 5 foot and have now shrunk a bit with age! And I’m taller than my elder sister . She in turn was taller than our auntie. Didn’t just happen then. Whatever, not many of them died quiet deaths did they. Thank you. 🏰 👑 🙏🙏👵🇦🇺

@rl3293 3 ай бұрын

Every story you bring out on KZfaq is so fascinating to me. I have a love/hat relationship with KZfaq. All the nonsense, and yet without it, I'd never have found you. 😊❤

@maryloumawson6006 3 ай бұрын

I think the timing is suspicious. Henry knew that once Robert returned, he would have missed his chance. He'd be in the midst of the fighting older siblings again. So, he dispatched William, and probably had plenty of co-conspirators to help him and cover his tracks. Then took over Robert's lands in Normandy as well. And let's not forget how he treated him. Oh, yeah, he did the deed alright. 🏹

@heathereley9749 3 ай бұрын

Thank you, Doctor Kat. Another great video, and so pleased to have spotted it live. I'm not quite sure where I stand on the death of Rufus. Henry certainly acted suspiciously quickly afterwards. 🤔

@johnberry3824 3 ай бұрын

It's always fascinating to see what you've got on the shelves behind you.

@lucyosborne9239 3 ай бұрын

The story of the chamber pot was new to me as was another account of a noble/royal killed in an "accident". It's rather obvious in hindsight that this method of bumping off relatives was no accident. They didn't know how to be brothers and play nice. A thousand years on and it looks very suspicious.👑🏹🔀

@susanfisher606 3 ай бұрын

⚔️🤺🗡️ A wonderful video as always Dr. Kat! Your videos are the highly of my week. I am partial to the Norman kings of England and have always felt William Rufus has been a footnote: he was chosen king by his dad & then mysteriously died on a hunting trip with his brother. 🤨🐎🏹

@spews1973 3 ай бұрын

I'd like to think having a ruddy complexion is the only thing I (might) have in common with William Rufus.

@StargazerNorth1 2 ай бұрын

I was so happy to see a video on William Rufus! He’s always struck me as a fascinating individual - he seems to have had a remarkable amount of common sense for someone who lived in such superstitious times, and I imagine his lack of reverence for the Church contributed heavily to his bad publicity after his death. Do you plan to do any more videos on this period? I’d love to see you do a series on The Anarchy!

@alisonridout 3 ай бұрын

Going to 'visit' Robert Curthose in Gloucester Cathedral tomorrow once again. Have seen his tomb once before 🏰

@miladyblue5077 3 ай бұрын

Looking forward to it, Dr. Kat. Love your vids, your presentation is awesome!

@johnberry3824 3 ай бұрын

William sounds like an admirable king, if a difficult one. (Though as one of my Stanford professors of English history pointed out, all of the medieval rulers were constdantly in pain from ill health, and therefore in a foul mood at the best of times. It does explain a lot.) I hadn't known that much about him before watching this video, so thank you.

@Nightbird1914 3 ай бұрын

I have a fascination with The New Forest and currently reading The Forest by Edward Rutherford, a fictional novel covering centuries beginning with the death of King William. I will be reading more of his novels although quite long it is not a difficult read. Chock full of interesting details about the Forest and its inhabitants.

@kimberlyperrotis8962 3 ай бұрын

Before the Tower of London for disappearing royals and nobles, there was the New Forest hunting accidents! I’d like a video on Robert Curthose, too.

@DruinStLouis 3 ай бұрын

Hello from St. Louis!

@garryclarke1234 3 ай бұрын

Fascinating that,I suspect that Henry was probably planning to become king as soon as the right circumstances arose beneficial to him.As for Bede,I think he's a hostile witness as William refus was not a great friend of the church and considered by some to be a hertic

@kirstena4001 3 ай бұрын

timely subject! we just visited Gisors, whose chateau is connected to both Rufus and Henry 1.

@mildlycornfield 3 ай бұрын

The sons of William the Conqueror were certainly an interesting bunch

@annemorton5236 3 ай бұрын

Interesting video on a king who often gets overlooked - inspired me to get Rutherfurd's novel The Forest from the library. 🐎

@Myke_OBrien 3 ай бұрын

Always look forward to your latest presentation!

@oodlepoodles 3 ай бұрын

Hope its okay to make an observation but that colour (your top) really suits you 👚

@annettekleynhans6127 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the info of this lesser known historical king.

@bretallen2755 3 ай бұрын

Love Reading the Past. Thanks, Dr. Kat

@aagold76 3 ай бұрын

he was also sandwiched between father and brother- both with better reigns and huge moments- the conquest and common law.

@nichola607 3 ай бұрын

Look forward to seeing

@hawkflower1 3 ай бұрын

😮 Watch out for the New Forest!!! Dangerous place so I'm told... Especially for The Conqueror's kin... 🌳🌳🌲🌳🦌🌳🌳🌲🌳

@thesilentfuzz 3 ай бұрын

Great! As always. 🏹

@saskia5871 3 ай бұрын

Love the channel!! 😃😃 xx

@cowboyzuzu 3 ай бұрын

Love this channel. Thank you 🙏🏿

@BlackCatMargie 3 ай бұрын

It certainly looks like Henry was behind the demise of Rufus, but it also seems like there were others who might have had motive. He had lots of enemies. Maybe a Saxon New Forest troll who didn't like Norman kings? 🤔

@danielsantiagourtado3430 3 ай бұрын

Love your content!😊😊😊❤❤❤

@bbrjmr 3 ай бұрын

🥰 I Love Your Presentations

@annabellazsanctuary 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for your hard working dedication as always Dr Kat ❤

@mike-myke22 3 ай бұрын

Another fascinating post. 👌

@Lucyverre 3 ай бұрын

Since I didn't have any English history, this was the first time I learned about William Rufus, thank you. 🤴🏻 👑🐴🐗🫎🐎⚰️ Just want to let you know that I've never been unsubscribed by KZfaq. Ever.

@dianaanderson37 3 ай бұрын

Another interesting lecture, thanks !

@UtahGmaw99 3 ай бұрын

Thank you Dr. Kat. I have resubscribed. Funny why they do that. Love your videos.

@ElliotOracle 3 ай бұрын

I love your videos Dr. Kat! ❤😊🙏

@darkviolet 3 ай бұрын

To me Rufus is the name of a dog, so it always makes me snicker a little 🐕🐶😂

@Nightbird1914 3 ай бұрын

My son has a ginger cat named Rufus 😊

@sallyadams3981 Ай бұрын

You are always interesting. Dr Kat, I find your interpretations and knowledge of medieval paintings are art very interesting. You have the indepth knowledge, I completely lack. Thank you

@margheritatimeus3400 3 ай бұрын

Just a couple of day since I discover your Page, and probably I've already seen almost all of your videos... Absolutely great job 👏👏👏

@cmcg9035 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for another lively history lesson! 🌳🐎

@ingerfaber3411 3 ай бұрын

💘 As others have said - quite a lot of accidents in one forest :)

@theclassicso8094 3 ай бұрын

This is another wonderful presentation. 👑⚔

@lucieramirez1378 3 ай бұрын

Thank you🎉

@marcelabeltran6216 3 ай бұрын

I really learn and have fun with you I love your lectures🏰

@ReadingthePast 3 ай бұрын

Thank you so much ☺️

@danielsantiagourtado3430 3 ай бұрын

Can't wait 🎉🎉🎉🎉

@loismccluresmith7944 3 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@amylin5062 Ай бұрын

🏹 Unlucky Rufus! He doesn’t sound like a nice person… Great video, as always!

@Chipoo88 3 ай бұрын

That was brilliant! Thank you. It would be amazing if you were happy to do series on the Anglo Saxon kings 😊. You make it very easy to understand and it is most enjoyable ❤

@atar212 3 ай бұрын

Excellent

@snowwhite5842 3 ай бұрын

👑🏰 I love your channel. It’s nice to become better educated in just 25 minutes.

@lilibetp 3 ай бұрын

Going back to Cain and Abel...

@leetaylor3468 3 ай бұрын

I love all these medieval intrigues 😮 🏰

@hilmaallen1302 3 ай бұрын

💘🏹😤yep Henry was behind all of their passing. But then they did cut him out of anything that was his due so no surprise there.

@manuellubian5709 3 ай бұрын

Off-Topic Question & Comment Have you ever heard of John Gerard and his supposed torture confessional, written during the time of QE(I)? Why have we not heard of this and is it possible you could do a video on this person and his supposed manuscript? Thank You.

@zofiamcsparlin8239 3 ай бұрын

How on earth did he get away with not getting married? Who were his prospective brides, and did any conflict arise specifically from a marriage not happening?

@dorian4534 3 ай бұрын

The Staircase has some competition; archery competition at that! 🏹

@janellinger4492 3 ай бұрын

Great video. All those power hungry men! 😂

@vickileonard72 3 ай бұрын

👏👍🌳no bow & arrow to b found lol u get the point 😊

@iansudlow-mckay1422 3 ай бұрын

You are right he is an under represented king in history - he is an intriguing character ⚔️🐎🏹

@darthbee18 3 ай бұрын

Well, Rufus sure sounds like a hoot! 😅😂🤣🙈💀

@brendajordan2844 Ай бұрын

Absolutely, Henry did it!

@kazoolibra7322 3 ай бұрын

These folks were very violent people....fight among themselves, fight with others....they didn't seem to know any other way😢

@sheilatruax6172 3 ай бұрын

It was a, how to phrase it, a more "primal" time. Though it didn't have to be. Edward the Confessor had a fairly quiet reign, until close to the end. Just saying.

@kaloarepo288 3 ай бұрын

@@sheilatruax6172 They were all descended from Vikings via Rollo and the dukes of Normandy -so what do you expect?

@michellecornum5856 3 ай бұрын

🏹🦌👑. WOW, don't speak I'll of the dead, shall we. Paul Williams' song "The Hell of It " seems to cover this the best.

@nomadpurple6154 2 ай бұрын

Even if you accidently killed a King, I would expect some form of legal/revenge consequences for that unless your actions were welcomed by their successor.

@MonsieurChapeau 3 ай бұрын

Gosh the Will the C 👑 had some useless sons 🙊….but what happens next? How does the record view Henry and was there a final standoff ⚔️I know I can research it myself but I much prefer to hear history told by Dr. Kat 🤩 a video about fortresses and castles would be fun too 🏰⚔️🔥

@peggygraham6129 3 ай бұрын

Nasty family fight.

@elizabethbetts3834 3 ай бұрын

Henry totally did it! 🌲🌲🌲🏹🏹🏹🌲🌲🌲🟰🤴🇬🇧

@Riftrender 3 ай бұрын

I totally understand why Robert became an asshole considering his father and siblings.

@steelerbear 3 ай бұрын

"Accident." 🤨

@historybuff7491 3 ай бұрын

I don't know. I will think one way, and then another later on, and even a third way, sometimes. ⚔🏰

@SharonPadget 3 ай бұрын

Very ignorant of the history of William Rufus. Thanks for interesting video. 😊

@johngriffith182 3 ай бұрын

👑

@lindsaydrewe8219 3 ай бұрын

Horrible Histories had a good sketch about this too

@kathiegifford5112 3 ай бұрын

Dr. Kat, have you done a video on Anne Boleyn that explores why Henry VIII sentenced her to death rather than a divorce and nunnery. Afterall, he was the head of the English church and could give himself a divorce. I speculate that he might have been enraged at her because he wasted over seven years pursuing her and executed so many of his lifelong friends in order to secure the succession for Anne's male heir that never materialized.

@johndepledge1811 2 ай бұрын

Ranulph Flambard sounds quite character. Rufus left us Westminster Hall and Durham Cathedral, I think. Any gen on Ranulph?

@AAD2698 3 ай бұрын

I can't get an emoji to load! Trees for forest!

@Jo-pp7yj 3 ай бұрын

🏰 family!

@CrazyArtistLady 3 ай бұрын

He was def deliberately unalived by Henry IMHO🏹🫢whoops sorry bro

@thescarletgraywitch8052 Ай бұрын

Trying to live up to anyone referred to as "conqueror" would be a losing effort. Neither would I have followed "The Lionheart" or "The Hammer of the Scots" makes their successors start at the bottom of the stairs, so to speak. Although, I doubt anything could have made John seem any better! 😂😂