William II reigned as King of England from 1087-1100.

He was born in 1056 as the second surviving son of William I of England, or more famously known as William the Conqueror.
William II was given the nickname of Rufus due to his reddish complexion.

William II was chosen to succeed his father William I's throne over his older brother Robert. William was always his father's favourite son.

William II never married and did not have any children. He died in 1100 during a hunting trip in the New Forest. William became separated from the other members of the hunt. He was found the following day by a group of peasants, with an arrow through the chest which had pierced his lungs. It is thought that his death was not murder, but an accident caused by his friend Walter Tyrell, who missed the stag he was aiming for and struck William.

William II was succeeded by his younger brother Henry, who would become Henry I.