succession of william the conqueror

• • William died 9th september 1087 due to big injuries from an invasion in France
• • because of his drawn out death, he had time to give instructions about the succession, deciding Robert should succeed dukedom
• • william wanted his FAVE william rufus to be king but he didn’t like the violent way he had gained the crown, saying god will choose
• | william rufus vs Robert & odo

  • lanfranc supported william’s claim & was crowned william II
• | odo & rebellion

  • william II faces big opposition especially from Robert curthouse
  • usually eldest son inherited the father’s estate in normandy
• | odo & rebellion

  • 1087, odo was freed from prison
  • 1088, he led rebellion against william II in support of Robert’s claim
  • odo though Robert’s weaknesses would be to their advantage as he could easily controlled
  • william was like his father who would reduce baron’s power
• | odo & rebellion

  • odo’s brother joined him in the revolt
  • they both controlled large areas of south england
• | odo & rebellion

  • other rebellions broke out in 1088:
  • small rebellion in norwich by Bigod
  • medium-sized in the west led by marcher earls
• | odo & rebellion

  • majority of Norman & English population were against odo’s rebellions
  • odo & Robert of mortain (his brother) took refuge in a castle
  • william attacked it with fyrd so any supplies wouldn’t reach rebels inside