William II of England

William II (Anglo-Norman: Williame; c. 1057 – 2 August 1100) was King of England from 26 September 1087 until his death in 1100, with powers over Normandy and influence in Scotland. The third son of William the Conqueror, he is commonly referred to as William Rufus (Latin for "the Red"), perhaps because of his ruddy face or, more likely, his red hair.

Quotes

• By the Holy Face of Lucca.
  • William's "customary oath", as reported by Eadmer and William of Malmesbury

• God shall never see me a good man. I have suffered too much from him.
  • Quoted in The Atlantic Monthly (September 1882), p. 407

• He knows nothing about crimes, or else he weighs them in unjust balances.
  • Quoted in The Atlantic Monthly (September 1882), p. 407

In fiction

• "Go, bid the vassals saddle
    The steed at Mons I rode;
  By the holy cross at Lucca,
    'Tis the best I e'er bestrode."
  • George Walter Thornbury, "The Death of Rufus", Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs (1876)

• To the gate of the fair White City
    Comes the charcoal burner's wain;
  It brings no hart for abbot's board,
    It bears the royal slain.
  • George Walter Thornbury, "The Death of Rufus", Historical & Legendary Ballads & Songs (1876)