William Rufus’ securing of the kingdom of England

Accession:

 Although William Rufus did have his father’s bequest of the kingdom of England, he
showed intelligence and was quick to act as he crossed the channel with haste. Rufus
handed his father’s letter to Archbishop Lanfranc and was consecrated on 26 th
September 1087.
 Many believed that Curthose would inherit control England after the death of
William the Conqueror but Rufus did all of this before Robert Curthose could act.
Nobility:

 Odo of Bayeux was released from prison on William the Conqueror’s death and
consequently led a rebellion in 1088 to try and give all of William the Conqueror’s
inheritance to his eldest, Robert Curthose. Of the 10 most wealthy tenants-in-chief in
the Domesday book, 6 were on the rebels’ side.
 Rufus’ loyal forces attacked Rochester, where Odo first hid and then again at
Pevensey before Odo was banished and disinherited. With the failure of the uprising,
this rebellion soon collapsed.
 Throughout his reign Rufus treated the nobility with a mixture of punishment and
reward. After crushing Robert Mowbray’s rebellion in 1095, Rufus imprisoned
Mowbray for life. But he also rewarded old baronial families with earldoms, e.g.
Henry de Beaumont made earl of Warwick in 1088.
Justice:
 The same system of justice ran under Rufus as did under his father William.
 Shires and hundreds continued to run, with royal justices visiting shires occasionally
to ensure that the king’s justice was in place.
 Ranulf Flanbard played an important judicial role during Rufus’ reign. He travelled
the country to provide justice. Flanbard was so trusted and highly rated by Rufus
that Rufus gave him the authority to act as regent while he was away in Normandy.