William son of William

Also known as: King William / William / our king / the King William / the king · Family: English · Role: king · First appears: A.D. 1087

In 1087, after William of Normandy’s death, William took the crown in England and was blessed as king by Landfranc at Westminster three days before Michaelmas. Men in England submitted to him and swore oaths; he distributed his father’s treasure to monasteries and churches and ordered the release of prisoners.

In 1088, rebellion against him involved Odo, William, Bishop of Durham and others. William promised Englishmen better laws and restored their woods and chases; after the rebels’ strongholds surrendered, Odo gave up Rochester and went overseas, and the Bishop of Durham surrendered his castle and bishopric and went to Normandy. William gave lands abandoned by Frenchmen to loyal men. In 1090 he seized castles and a haven from his brother Robert of Normandy, while Philip, the King of France abandoned Robert after William sent to him. The brothers reconciled in 1091, agreeing to terms over castles, lands and succession; that year Malcolm made peace with William, did homage and swore obedience.

In 1092 William drove Dolphin from Carlisle and installed his own men in the castle. During Lent 1093, he transferred Canterbury’s archbishopric to Archbishop Anselm and appointed his chancellor Robert of Normandy to Lincoln’s bishopric; he later took back lands he had given to minsters and annulled the laws he had promised. In 1094, William and Robert’s treaty broke down, and they parted dissatisfied; Robert and Philip, the King of France captured the king’s knights at Argence. In 1095 William captured Earl Robert of Northumberland and ordered him held at Windsor. In 1096 he ordered William of Ou blinded and emasculated, deprived Eoda, Earl of Champagne and others of their lands, and was reconciled with Robert, purchasing Normandy from him. In 1097, Edgar Etheling helped appoint Edgar son of Malcolm king in fealty to William. In 1099 William gave Durham’s bishopric to Ranulf and drove Earl Elias out of Maine, bringing the territory under his power.