1. William II's return to England in 1099 (II)
- Created by: Alasdair
- Created on: 14-06-17 18:13
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- 1. William II's return to England in 1099 (II)
- The Vexin war of 1097-98
- Characterised by little fighting
- William initially gathered support from barons in region
- Especially Robert of Meulan and Guy of La Roche-Guyon
- Rufus mustered army (possibly 10,000 knights)
- Winter of 1097, Rufus entered area around Gisors
- Rufus ordered building of a castle there
- February 1098, Rufus suddenly decided to leave region with Robert of Belleme
- Did this in order to deal with Helias
- Helias had started to stamp his authority on parts of Maine through building of fortifications
- Did this in order to deal with Helias
- Robert of Belleme
- Great military prowess and success
- Cruel even by Norman standards
- Initially side with Robert Curthose but changed allegiance by 1097
- Helped Rufus in battles against Curthose and Philip of France
- Robert opposed Henry I coming to throne in 1100
- Rufus and Maine
- 1. Robert of Belleme had estates and castles in Maine
- Had much control of region
- 2. Helias threatened Robert of Belleme's properties by constructing a castle at Danguel
- 3. Rufus felt obliged to assist Robert of Belleme as he had been an ally after 1088 rebellion of Norman barons
- 4. Major problem for Rufus and Robert of Belleme
- Many people of Maine (barons, citizens of Le Mans and clergy) despised Normans
- People believed Normans had seized property that was not rightfully theirs
- Rufus believed he needed to show those living in Maine rule by himself was better than Helias's
- Many people of Maine (barons, citizens of Le Mans and clergy) despised Normans
- 5. February to April 1098
- Much fighting occurred between Robert of Belleme's forces and Helias's in area around Danguel
- Helias was eventually captured and imprisoned at Bayeux
- 6. Almost immediately after Helias's capture
- Fulk of Anjou attacked Le Mans
- Occupied it
- Left son, Geoffrey, in charge
- Fulk of Anjou attacked Le Mans
- 7. William decided to launch his own expedition to take Le Mans
- Within short space of time he boosted his army to around five or six thousand
- Started to win over some nobles
- Included Pain of Mondoubleau in Maine (previously wary of King)
- Summer of 1098
- William laid siege to Le Mans
- After negotiations between Rufus, Fulk and imprisoned Helias
- Fulk and Helias agreed to return Le Mans and other towns in Maine to William II
- 8. Rufus ordered Le Mans to be garrisoned
- Taking of most important fortified city coup for Rufus
- Allowed him to return to Vexin to attempt to finish his business there.
- 1. Robert of Belleme had estates and castles in Maine
- Vexin War of 1098-99
- By September 1098 Rufus had reassembled armies at Conches just outside Vexin
- Invasion launched on area up to Pontoise, where Rufus rested and gained new ally in Walter Tirel, Lord of Poix
- Campaign moved south of Seine
- Aim was to overcome fortresses that protect Paris
- Suggests Rufus was aiming to take whole of Vexin
- Aim was to overcome fortresses that protect Paris
- By spring of 1099
- Rufus had experienced limited success and defences of Paris, centre of Vexin, remained intact
- Why did William II 'Rufus' return to England in 1099?
- Returned Easter 1099
- Gained authority in Maine and, in end, there had been little opposition to him regaining territory
- Achieved major aim of his mission
- Failure to take French Vexin
- Forced in making truce with French King.
- William probably thought there was no glory in continuing blockade of fortresses to gain Vexin
- Prolonged sieges used up resources and time
- Rufus preferred to do battle to achieve quick and decisive outcomes
- Rufus never faced any significant military leader during Vexin War
- Possible Philip I too scared to face Rufus in open battle as it would led to loss of morale and support of people in Vexin
- William felt he had neglected affairs in England despite country being stable
- 1. On return, dealt with issue regarding extra help to monks at Christ Church, Canterbury
- 2. Met up with Edgar, King of Scots to discuss northern affairs (usual concerns over border territory)
- May have been connected to appointment of Ranulf Flambard as bishop of Durham not long after meeting
- By midsummer 1099
- Appeared Rufus was in settled position and could focus on planning for future.
- By mid-June 1099 messenger arrived from Maine informing Rufus Helias had been released from prison and was trying to retake Le Mans
- Rufus reacted quickly, forcing Helias to retreat to Mayet
- Rufus's siege of town was unsuccessful leaving Helias free
- Following failure to recapture Helias, King returned to Le Mans to ensure it was reinforced
- Rufus punished people in city who were supposedly complicit in Helias's uprising (particularly Bishop Hildebert by exiling him).
- Rufus reacted quickly, forcing Helias to retreat to Mayet
- Rufus finally returned to England in September 1099
- The Vexin war of 1097-98
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