Williams disputed succession

• Robert Curthose

  • 1st son
  • bad relationship with his father
  • 'Curthose' - dumpy legs
  • 1077 - younger brothers William II and Henry poured water on his head - they had a fight that William I had to separate - younger brothers were not punished (Robert = angry) - Robert tried to take over Rouen Castle - failed - had to flee as William wanted them arrested
• after Rouen - Robert ran to the King of France - William's enemy - he installed Robert on a castle on the border between France and Normandy - Robert repeatedly launched attacks on Normandy - William had to raise an army against him
• Battle in 1079 - Robert knocked William off his horse, William was defenceless - Robert gave his father his own horse and told him to retreat from battle - humiliated William - his wife Matilda (Roberts mum) organised a reconciliation on Easter 1080 - Robert was restored as the heir to Normandy but William didn't feel he was ready to rule England
• July 1087 - William = fatal wound in battle (didn't die until 9th September 1087) - Robert inherited Normandy, William Rufus (favourite) would inherit England - However, because of the violent way he gained England, he said he would let God choose who should be the next King of England - disputed succession
• Before his father died - William Rufus was sent to Lanfranc with a letter saying he should be the next King - Lanfranc agreed and crowned William Rufus King as soon as William I died - Robert = angry (oldest = inherit the land) so he asked Odo for help (rebel against his brother)
• Odo supported Robert and led a rebellion against William II - however it failed a most Normans and Anglo-Saxons were against Odo (the way he governed when he had power in England) - William II gave gifts to Norman lords to keep them on his side and promised Anglo Saxons for a better life - William II was king
• Odo only supported Robert as he felt he could control him if he was King
• Robert side in the Rebellion;

  • Odo
  • Odo's brother - Robert de Mortain
  • Roger Bigod
  • William of Ev
  • Roger de Montgomery
• how did William II improve AS lives

  • lower taxes
  • end forest laws
  • restore some of the laws from Edward the Confessor
• Odo and Robert hid in Pevensey - William cut off all supplies forcing a surrender - Odo escaped to Rochester and hoped Robert would rescue him (he didn't - forced to surrender)

  Odo = titles stripped and sent into exile

  Robert = rule Normandy