3.18 William's Sons/Inheritance

Question 1

How many sons did William I have?

Answer 1

3 ;
* Robert Curthose
* William II (Rufus)
* Henry

Question 2

When and how did William I die?

Answer 2

9th September 1087 age 69. Injured in battle.

Question 3

What was left to each of William’s sons?

Answer 3

• Rufus => crown of England
• Robert => Dukedom of Normandy
• Henry => money but no land

Question 4

Why did Robert not inherit everything? (3)

Answer 4

• His relations with William were poor.
• William believed he was proud and silly, and a country under his control will ‘be truly wretched’.
• Not a good idea to have one who rules Normandy and England => more prone to invasion.

Question 5

Who helped William II become King?

Answer 5

Archbishop of Canterbury => Lanfranc

Question 6

Why did William’s succession cause instability?

Answer 6

Barons didn’t want to swear allegiance to 2 leaders - caused rebellions.

Question 7

How was William II able to defeat potential rebellions? (2)

Answer 7

• Divided rebel barons with combination of reminding them of their oath and loyalty and promises.
• Promised to grant hunting rights and make just laws => didn’t happen.

Question 8

How was William II able to calm relations with Robert?

Answer 8

1091, William travelled to Normandy to challenge Robert - managed to agree terms. This kept Robert away from England for most of Rufus’ reign.

Question 9

How and when did William II die?

Answer 9

2nd August 1100, William was killed in a hunting accident =. shot by arrow apparently launched by Walter Tirel (a friend). Suspected that Henry plotted it.

Question 10

How was Henry I able to expand his territory to rule the same lands as his father? (4)

Answer 10

• 1101 => Henry reached agreement with Robert to stay in own domains.
• 1105 => Henry attacked Normandy.
• 1106 => Robert was defeated at Battle of Tinchebray.
• 1107 => Henry ruled Normandy and England.