"William Rufus had a remarkable career, even for the late eleventh century, when opportunities for the adventurous and talented were plentiful. Born into the middle ranks of the French aristocracy, and only a younger son, he rose first through the achievements of his father, William 'the Conqueror', duke of Normandy, and then through the misfortunes of his elder brothers. Still a landless when his father died in 1087, he took whatever chances came his way, and by the time of his own premature death thirteen years later had become a king of great renown. He was acclaimed by soldiers for his chivalry and magnanimity; and the flaws of his character proved to be no hindrance to success."
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Historians from EnglandAcademics from EnglandBiographers from EnglandUniversity College London facultyUniversity of Exeter faculty
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Frank Barlow (historian)
(19 April 1911 – 27 June 2009) was one of the world's leading medieval historians, a prolific author, and a British Army major. He is known for his biographies of medieval kings and saints. Appointed in 1989 , he was elected in 1970 a Fellow of the and in 1971 a Fellow of the .
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