(5) William the Conqueror's army attacked Robert in December 1078. Although he was only 17 years-old, William Rufus joined his father in battle against his brother. Robert gained support from Roger of Clare, the son of Richard FitzGilbert and he made his base at Gerberoy. Robert was unwilling to accept this decision and joined forces with discontented elements in Brittany, Maine and Anjou. William, now in his fifties, refused with the words: "Normandy is mine by hereditary descent and I will never while I live relinquish the government". Robert, who was now in his early twenties, suggested that William should return to England and he should be allowed to rule Normandy. He also controlled Normandy and in 1073, along with his eldest son, Robert Curthose, conquered Maine. William the Conqueror had successfully invaded England in 1066. he had a stutter, especially when angry." (3) William Rufus in Normandy
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astonishing strength, though not very tall and his belly rather projecting. "William Rufus had a red face, yellow hair, different coloured eyes. When he was a young man he obtained the name Rufus because of his ruddy complexion. An intimate acquaintance with the monastic life at an impressionable age could, however, have inspired in him the ribaldry and contempt for the church he was to display when king." (2) brought him back to the Conqueror's side to serve as a knight bachelor.
![william rufus william rufus](https://cdn.britannica.com/w:400,h:300,c:crop/37/40537-004-49263DBA/William-II-drawing-Matthew-Paris-manuscript-British.jpg)
According to Frank Barlow: "If, however, his parents had intended him for the church, the death of their second son, Richard. (1)Īs a child he was educated by Lanfranc of Pavia, who was the abbot of Caen. Seven of these survived: William, Robert Curthose, Richard (killed in a hunting accident in about 1074), Cecily, Agatha, Henry Beauclerk and Adela.
![william rufus william rufus](https://ih1.redbubble.net/image.9964260.0285/farp,small,wall_texture,product,750x1000.u7.jpg)
William Rufus (the Red), the second surviving son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders, was born in about 1056.