William Rufus’ securing of the kingdom of England

Accession:

 Although William Rufus did have his father’s bequest of the kingdom of England, he was also
quick to act and crossed the channel with haste. Rufus handed his father’s letter to
Archbishop Lanfranc and was consecrated on 26th September 1087.

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.

Justice:

Church: