NORMAN. William II Rufus. 1087-1100. AR Penny (20mm, 1.44 g, 12h). Voided Cross type (BMC iii). Wincaestre (Winchester) mint; Wigmund, moneyer. Struck circa 1092-1095. + PIPILLELM, crowned and draped facing bust; stars to left and right / + PIMIIND ON PI(NC), voided cross potent, with annulet at center; all over cross annulettée in saltire. Harvey 1251 (dies A/a); SCBI –; BMC –; North 853; SCBC 1260. Good VF, toned. Rare.
William II Rufus, the third and favorite son of William the Conqueror, took the throne of England upon his father’s death in 1087. His eldest brother, Robert, Duke of Normandy, inherited the French portion of his father’s lands. Not surprisingly, relations between the two brothers were strained during much of their reigns. William Rufus is not treated kindly by most contemporary accounts. He was seen as an outsider by the English, and his ruthless character and combative temperament meant that his court was never a harmonious place. Much of William’s reign was occupied by his conflicts with the church. He argued openly with Anselm, Archbishop of Canterbury, on many issues, including Anselm’s support of the Gregorian reforms, which upheld the independence of the clergy. As a soldier, William met with some success. He put down the Rebellion of 1088, which sought to unite England and Normandy under his brother and nemesis Robert. He also repelled a Scottish invasion in 1091. In 1096, after the brothers had made peace, Robert requested a loan from William so that he could embark on the First Crusade. While Robert was away, William ruled Normandy as regent. On 2 August 1100, while hunting in the New Forest near Brockenhurst, William was fatally struck by an arrow. The king’s younger brother Henry had accompanied him on the hunt and, on William’s death, Henry immediately rode to Winchester to secure the treasury. The hunting party abandoned the body until it was discovered by peasants, who bore it into the city. Three days later, Henry I was proclaimed king.
