1. Dispute over the Conqueror's inheritance?

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  • Created by: Alasdair
  • Created on: 10-06-17 11:15
Background to dispute?
William I spent majority of last 15 years of his life in Normandy, having largely established stability in England.
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Background to dispute?
9th September 1087, William died of injuries sustained at siege of Mantes.
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Background to dispute?
Empire and wealth associated with it were divided among three sons
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What did Robert Curthose (eldest) inherit?
Bequeathed Normandy
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What did William (second eldest) inherit?
Given jurisdiction over England and became William II 'Rufus'
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What did Henry (youngest son) inherit?
Gained treasure 'too great to be counted'
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Background to dispute?
Fact eldest son did not gain authority over whole of Conqueror's territory was to lead to tension between Robert and William II that lasted until latter's death in 1100
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Why was there a dispute?
Stand King passed on crown to eldest son - diversion from this unsurprisingly caused sibling rivalry.
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Why was there a dispute?
Engendered creation of factions around rival claimants
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Why was there a dispute?
Whilst it seemed practical to William to divide inheritance it was almost inevitable Robert and William would fall out
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Why was there a dispute?
Possible Conqueror originally decided to disinherit Robert due to fact relations between two had deteriorated during last decade of William's reign
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Why was there a dispute?
Appeared Robert had been bequeathed Normandy before Hastings but afters events of 1077, Conqueror began to take dim view of Robert
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Why was there a dispute?
Sometime between 1077 and 1079, Robert appears to have become impatient and demanded his father should let him take control of Normandy and Maine in advance of Conqueror's death.
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Why was there a dispute?
William resisted Robert's request and Robert reacted by fleeing England to take refuge with uncle - squabble escalated into something more serious
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Why was there a dispute?
Despite drama of falling-out between William I and Robert, it is likely William was advised to take conciliatory stance towards Robert to prevent further fighting.
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Why was there a dispute?
Danger such dynastic fight would lead to break-up of William's empire leading to compromise of division of responsibilities and territories seeming sensible.
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What were the consequences of Conqueror's decisions?
Decision to divide territory led to major rebellions against William II 'Rufus' in 1088 - new King was successful in dealing with this but created suspicion England wouldn't remain settled and he would have to keep close eye on Robert
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What were the consequences of Conqueror's decisions?
Rebellions reinforced animosity between William II and Robert, although not to extent that they broke off all communications with each other. There were times before 1100 when both were prepared to broker deals & support each other if it suited them
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Why was William II's relationship with Robert of such significance?
Family relationships damaged by events of 1087
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Why was William II's relationship with Robert of such significance?
Indications William and Robert had not been on best of terms before father's death
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Example of why Robert was not on best of terms with brother before father's death?
In 1078, game of dice ended in fight where 'Rufus' & Henry poured water over Robert's head and fight had to be broken up by Conqueror
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Example of why Robert was not on best of terms with brother before father's death? (II)
Led to Robert making camp at Rouen after detaching from family due to being reprimanded along with his brothers by his father - possibly explained resolve against father in 1079.
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Why was William II's relationship with Robert of such significance?
After establishing control after 1088 rebellion, William 'Rufus' planned invasion of Normandy partly due to revenge (Robert involved in rebellion), partly due to Normandy falling into unrest such as revolt in Maine, area Rufus hoped to reclaim
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Why was William II's relationship with Robert of such significance?
Initially, Rufus tried to buy support of northern barons in Normandy hoping they would restore peace without need for invasion - came to nothing so Rufus set sail with large expeditionary force on 2 February 1091
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Arrival of Rufus in 1091 led to Robert making treaty at Rouen which agreed:
Robert was to allow William authority over counties of Eu, Fecamp and Cherbourg (barons there had to swear fealty to Rufus)
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Arrival of Rufus in 1091 led to Robert making treaty at Rouen which agreed:
Rufus was to support Robert in obligation to take back Maine.
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Arrival of Rufus in 1091 led to Robert making treaty at Rouen which agreed:
Robert was to receive land in England and his supporters who had lost property in 1088 were to have it returned to them
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Arrival of Rufus in 1091 led to Robert making treaty at Rouen which agreed:
Rufus was to gain whole of Normandy if Robert died without legitimate heir
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Arrival of Rufus in 1091 led to Robert making treaty at Rouen which agreed:
Robert was get control of England if Rufus died
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The treaty
Treaty warranted by twelve individuals on each side
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After treaty, what did the brothers do?
Rufus and Robert travelled to England (July 1091) to deal with invasion of Scots
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After treaty, what did the brothers do? (II)
Trouble in Scotland dealt with by 1093 allowing Rufus to honour obligations of Treaty of Rouen
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Rufus's return to Normandy in March 1094?
Denounced treaty due to being accused by warrantors of breaking terms (probably by not returning to Normandy since 1091)
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Rufus's return to Normandy in March 1094? (II)
Rufus, using mercenaries, plundered properties belonging to Robert whilst Ranulf Flambard given task of raising back home task-force of 20,000 men - expedition never took off probably due to William failing to get support of Norman barons
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When Rufus's exploits ended?
Return to England by end of 1994, exploits a failure in relations with Robert (relationship deteriorated)
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The ending of William II's relationship with Robert?
1095
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The ending of William II's relationship with Robert? (II)
Robert took part in First Crusade - calling of Pope Urban II, opportunity to do penance or 'atone for their actions'. Robert started raising funds.
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The ending of William II's relationship with Robert? (III)
Robert's main source of funds came through selling rights of authority over Normandy to William 'Rufus' for sum of 10,000 marks
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The ending of William II's relationship with Robert? (IV)
Rufus agreed and went about raising payment from people of England via military tax (referred to as ungeld or 'unbearable geld' as it was heavy and unexpected tax)
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The ending of William II's relationship with Robert? (V)
Robert disappeared as challenge to William II in four years that followed - returned to Europe in 1099 when Jerusalem was recaptured
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

9th September 1087, William died of injuries sustained at siege of Mantes.

Back

Background to dispute?

Card 3

Front

Empire and wealth associated with it were divided among three sons

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Bequeathed Normandy

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

Given jurisdiction over England and became William II 'Rufus'

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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