2nd Succession Crisis

• The succession crisis of 1087 occurred


  1087
• William of Normandy was born around 1028 and died in 1087
• William of Normandy and Matilda of Flanders


  Had a very close relationship, which was not always typical of royal couples at that time
• Problematic children of William and Matilda

  • Robert Curthose
  • William Rufus
  • Henry (later became King Henry I)
• William nicknamed his eldest son Robert Curthose, which means short legs
• William's favorite son was William Rufus, nicknamed Rufus which means red
• Henry, the third son, later became King Henry I
• Conflict between William and his sons


  Started with a brotherly squabble between Robert, William Rufus, and Henry
• In 1077, William Rufus threw a bucket of water over Robert, leading to a fight
• Robert tried to take Rouen Castle and launched repeated raids on William's land
• Matilda sent money to support Robert, showing her love for all her sons equally
• William battled Robert in 1079 and was defeated, leading to humiliation
• Matilda organized a reconciliation between William and Robert in 1080
• William Rufus remained the preferred choice to be heir to the throne of England
• William died in 1087, leaving no clear instructions as to his heir
• William Rufus became King William II of England
• William Rufus became William II, King of England
• Norman nobility faced a dilemma of supporting William or Robert
• Most Norman nobility sided with William as they believed he would be more powerful and a better warrior
• Odo and Robert launched a rebellion against William Rufus
• Rebellions were encouraged in the Welsh Marches, Norwich, and the West of England
• Rebellions failed, Odo was exiled, and Robert died in 1134
• William Rufus defeated the rebellions with English support
• William Rufus promised to overturn unpopular forest laws but went back on his promises
• William Rufus was killed in the New Forest in 1100
• Matilda Flanders had been dead since 1083
• Henry became King Henry I after William Rufus
• Robert had a poor relationship with William Rufus and Henry
• Robert tried to take power before William died
• Eldest son Robert got Normandy, William Rufus got England, and Henry got a lot of money
• Many nobles had to choose a side due to land holdings in both Normandy and England
• William had been to war with his son Robert Curtis before
• William made Robert Duke of Normandy and William Rufus King of England
• Bishop Odo backed Robert Curtis
• William Rufus won the rebellion mostly due to nobility support
• William Rufus died in a hunting accident in the New Forest
• Norman dynasty continued after Duke William's death