# William II becomes king of England (1087)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1087-william-ii-becomes-king-of-england
Categories: ruler-change

William Rufus inherited the English crown while his elder brother Robert received Normandy. Within the broader Norman & Angevin Britain period, Norman conquest, cross-Channel lordship and royal reform created a new aristocracy and a more centralized monarchy. This event is placed at 1087 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The division made cross-Channel politics a central problem of the new dynasty.

## Why it matters
The division made cross-Channel politics a central problem of the new dynasty.

Ruler at the time: [William II](https://english-history.com/rulers/william-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — William II becomes king of England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=William+II+becomes+king+of+England&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — William II becomes king of England](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=William+II+becomes+king+of+England)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281000%E2%80%931499%29)
- [The National Archives — medieval education resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)