1. William's return to England in 1099 (I)

?
  • Created by: Alasdair
  • Created on: 14-06-17 17:18
View mindmap
  • 1. William's return to England in 1099 (I)
    • Background to events of 1099
      • Rufus returned to England from Normandy in Easter 1099
      • William had gone back and forth to Normandy on numerous occasions with aims of:
        • Ensuring duchy remained intact
        • Taking over control of it for himself
        • Restoring lands that had been lost soon after the Conqueror's  death
          • Specific target was Maine (returning to Norman hands)
          • By late 1090s, objective of regaining Maine had become entwined with aim to take French Vexin
            • Claim to French Vexin was more tenuous than on the Maine and became very difficult to fulfill
      • Robert Curthose
        • Initially showed intent to keep Normandy intact and gaining lost territory
          • Secured Le Mans in Maine
        • Support he gained from other nobles in principality was short-lived
          • By 1089, there was 'the onset of anarchy which many [such as Rufus] had hoped for'
          • Anarchy seemed to be prompted by perception among nobles in Normandy (and in neighbouring principalities) that Robert would prove weak leader of region
            • They attempted to grab land with view of improving their status and independence
      • William II's invasion
        • Due to unrest emerging in conjunction with Robert's role in 1088 rebellion
        • Feb 1091
        • Led to truce between two brothers and Treaty of Rouen
      • Robert struggled to maintain grip on affairs in Normandy
        • Mainly due to lack of skill and determination
        • Failed to gain control over all of Maine
      • By 1094, Rufus felt compelled to return to France to discuss with Robert how situation could be resolved.
        • Initial meeting came to nothing
        • Group of warrantors of Rouen treaty (and supporters of Robert Curthose) announced Rufus had broken terms
          • Led to Rufus taking military action
        • Rufus sent army from England to support him, and even before they arrived he used mercenaries in Normandy to raid some of Robert's strongholds.
          • Plundering proved fruitful with respect to booty that was seized
        • Rufus struggled to win enough support from local nobles to gain strong foothold in region as a whole.
        • Coupled with renewed hostilities at end of 1094 to his rule in England, resulted in Rufus returning home.
      • After 1095
        • Rufus agreed to finance Robert Curthose's crusade to Holy Land
        • Left Rufus in charge of Normandy
        • Rufus's authority did not appear to be challenged by those living in or close to region
          • Except Helias of La Feche
            • Claimant to principality of Maine
            • Rufus had old him he had to 'hand over Le Mans and the whole country, for I'm going to have whatever my father held'
            • Helias complained
              • Argued his claim was legal and was supported by other (unnamed) kings, counts and bishops
            • Rufus replied his claim would be backed by swords and lances
        • Rufus remained in Normandy until Easter 1097 to monitor  how Le Mans situation unfolded
        • By mid-1097 Rufus back in England dealiing with Welsh insurgents
          • Returned to Normandy later in year with view to dealing with unfinished business
    • Why did Rufus return to Normandy in 1097
      • Seemed when William Rufus set sail for Normandy in Nov 1097 he had two aims in mind:
        • Consolidate his claim over Maine
        • Take French Vexin from Philip I of France
      • Why Rufus may have desired Vexin:
        • Conqueror had been injured when raiding there
          • Rufus desired revenge on behalf of father
        • Saw taking land would lead to him becoming King of France
          • Reinforced by fact Philip ha only one legitimate son who could  have taken over throne from him
          • Rufus had some links to Fr throne through mother's family.
        • King Philip of France had left his younger brother High the Great in charge of French Vexin but Hugh decided in 1096 to go on First Crusade.
          • Rufus probably saw window of opportunity to gain more land

Comments

No comments have yet been made

Similar History resources:

See all History resources »See all Britain in the Middle Ages resources »