HISTORICAL DEFLECTION

Two different points of view about the death - or murder - of King William II.

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WALTER'S DIARY

Name: Walter Tyrel (also called Walter de Poix)

Job: Unimportant Norman baron

Introduction

When in 1066 William Duke of Normandy conquered England, he already had three sons; Robert, Richard and William. The following year a fourth was born, Henry. The oldest son, Robert, rebelled against his father in 1077, and actually defeated him in battle (the first person ever to do so) before they made up. The new king never really forgave Robert. In 1080 the second son, Richard, was killed when his horse avoided a tree in the New Forest but he didn't, and .... well, let's just say it was pretty messy. Still, the horse was fine. And the tree.

King William I died in 1087, and left Normandy to Robert and England to William. Neither was happy with this, and both tried to invade the other's lands. Henry was also unhappy; he believed that as he was the only son born in England ('born in the purple'), he should be the next king there.

Events

[1094: Treaty of Caen. Robert wants to go off on a Crusade (money-making journey to the East), so he makes peace with William. Whichever of them dies first, the other gets both England and Normandy. In the meantime, William will rule Normandy whilst Robert is away. The two brothers also take some of the money left to Henry away from him.]

1098: Invited over to England by my cousins, the de Clare family. They supported Duke Robert against King William II back in 1080, but he seems to have forgiven them now.

July 1100: Heard today that Duke Robert will return from his crusade by the end of August. He isn't popular here. My cousin Gilbert de Clare said many were hoping King Billy would pop his clogs before Robert got back, so Henry could be the next king

August 1, 1100: Invited to go hunting with the king and his brother Henry in the New Forest in Hampshire. Met Prince Henry for the first time. Don't like him at all. Too smarmy.

August 2, 1100: DISASTER! Was paired off with the king in the Forest, then whilst we were hunting a deer someone shot him with an arrow. Then, two seconds later, all the others appear and accuse me. Ran off for Bucklers Hard, where I know cousin Gil has a small ship. Luckily it was there, and the captain agreed to take me home to Normandy.

August 3, 1100: Reached Normandy to hear that Henry had got to Winchester, where the Treasury (all the government's money) is kept, and had taken control of it. Then he got a few barons to proclaim him king.

August 5, 1100: A strange note from cousin Gil, telling me never to come back to England - but although everyone was saying I did it, the new King Henry is allowing me to keep my lands. Also, Gil has been given some new lands in England. I think I've been set up ....

THE DEATH OF WILLIAM RUFUS

WALTER'S DIARY

Name: Walter Tyrel (also called Walter de Poix)

Job: Unimportant Norman baron

Introduction

When in 1066 William Duke of Normandy conquered England, he already had three sons; Robert, Richard and William. The following year a fourth was born, Henry. The oldest son, Robert, rebelled against his father in 1077, and actually defeated him in battle (the first person ever to do so) before they made up. The new king never really forgave Robert. In 1080 the second son, Richard, was killed when his horse avoided a tree in the New Forest but he didn't, and .... well, let's just say it was pretty messy. Still, the horse was fine. And the tree.

King William I died in 1087, and left Normandy to Robert and England to William. Neither was happy with this, and both tried to invade the other's lands. Henry was also unhappy; he believed that as he was the only son born in England ('born in the purple'), he should be the next king there.

Events

[1094: Treaty of Caen. Robert wants to go off on a Crusade (money-making journey to the East), so he makes peace with William. Whichever of them dies first, the other gets both England and Normandy. In the meantime, William will rule Normandy whilst Robert is away. The two brothers also take some of the money left to Henry away from him.]

1098: Invited over to England by my cousins, the de Clare family. They supported Duke Robert against King William II back in 1080, but he seems to have forgiven them now.

July 1100: Heard today that Duke Robert will return from his crusade by the end of August. He isn't popular here. My cousin Gilbert de Clare took me aside, and told me that he's in on a plot to kill William and make Henry the next king - and I'm going to help him. I'm to go hunting with them and the king in the New Forest, and the king will have an ‘accident’. I'll be blamed for shooting him, but I'll be allowed to escape, and Gil says Henry won't go after me.

August 1, 1100: Invited to go hunting with the king and his brother Henry in the New Forest in Hampshire. Met Prince Henry for the first time. Don't like him at all. Too smarmy.

August 2, 1100: Writing this aboard Gil's boat on the way back to Normandy. King William was shot with an arrow whilst he was with me - and two seconds later Gil, Henry and the other barons appear. I ran off as planned, and no-one tried to stop me. Feeling sea-si ......

August 3, 1100: Reached Normandy to hear that Henry had got to Winchester, where the Treasury (all the government's money) is kept, and had taken control of it. Then he got a few barons to proclaim him king.

August 5, 1100: Got a note from cousin Gil, telling me never to come back to England - but although everyone was saying I did it, the new King Henry is allowing me to keep my lands as agreed. Also, Gil has been given some new lands in England.

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