Ebook: King Rufus: the life & murder of William II of England

This major biography tells of England's most irreligious king, famously killed accidentally whilst hunting in the New Forest. Or was he? The future William II was born in the late 1050s the third son of William the Conqueror. The younger William - nicknamed Rufus because of his ruddy cheeks - at first had not great expectations of succeeding to the throne. The situation changed when Robert, the Conqueror's eldest son, repeatedly rebelled against his father, and Richard, the king's second son, was killed in a hunting accident in the New Forest. When The Conqueror was dying in 1087, he designated ...;Preface -- Chapter one. Introducing the Red King -- Chapter two. The third son -- Chapter three. Securing the throne: 1087-1088 -- Chapter four. Brothers at war -- Chapter five. The northern frontier -- Chapter six. Challenges to royal authority -- Chapter seven. Conflicts -- Chapter eight. Triumph, tragedy -- Epilogue -- Map -- Annotated select bibliography.