Who Was King After William The Conqueror

Alright, gather 'round, folks. Let's dive into the medieval equivalent of "Who's the new boss?" after William the Conqueror kicked the bucket. Now, imagine you're at a royal tea party, and the host just dropped dead. Who's gonna take over? Let's find out!

William's Last Will and Testament

So, William the Conqueror, our Norman overlord, was lying in bed, probably thinking about his next meal or how to make those pesky Englishmen pay more taxes. Suddenly, he keels over. "Oh no," you think, "who's gonna rule this shambles now?"

Well, William had a plan. He'd been busy drawing up a will, which was quite the trend among medieval monarchs. It was like their version of a bucket list, but instead of skydiving or visiting the Grand Canyon, they were planning their succession. William wanted his son, William Rufus, to take the throne.

William Rufus: The Party Boy Prince

Now, William Rufus was no stranger to the spotlight. He was the eldest surviving son, and he'd been partying like it was 1099 for years. He was known for his love of hunting, feasting, and generally having a good time. Some historians even suggest he was a bit of a rebel, refusing to take his vows as a monk, much to his dad's disappointment.

But here's the twist: William Rufus wasn't exactly popular with the nobility. They thought he was a bit of a party animal and not serious enough to rule. It was like if the royal family's wild child suddenly became king. Shocking, right?

William The Conqueror Size

Enter Robert: The Noble Brother

Meanwhile, William's younger brother, Robert, was off fighting in Normandy. He was the complete opposite of Rufus - serious, pious, and respected by the nobility. When he heard about his dad's death, he was like, "Hold my mead, I'm gonna go claim my throne!"

Robert rushed back to England, gathering support along the way. He was offering what Rufus wasn't: stability, respect, and a sense of decorum. It was like the noble version of a political campaign, promising to "restore dignity to the crown" and "end the partying in the palace."

The Great Throne Grab of 1087

So, here we have a situation: Rufus is sitting pretty on the throne, enjoying his new title and all the perks that come with it. Meanwhile, Robert's marching towards London with an army, ready to challenge his brother's claim.

William The Conqueror Descendants Family Tree

It was like the medieval equivalent of a reality TV showdown. The brothers met at a place called Wallingford, and they hashed it out. Rufus, realizing he was outmatched, agreed to a deal. He'd keep the English throne, but Robert would get Normandy. It was like they were dividing their inheritance over the kitchen table, but with more swords and less small talk.

And the Winner Is...

So, who was king after William the Conqueror? Well, it depends on where you're from. If you're in England, you'd say it was William Rufus. But if you're in Normandy, you'd say it was Robert. It was like the medieval version of a twin presidency, but with more sibling rivalry and less political correctness.

And that, my friends, is the tale of who took the throne after William the Conqueror. It's a story of sibling rivalry, political intrigue, and a whole lot of drama. Now, who's ready for some cake?