A Penny From King William II, A.k.a. "Rufus"

This coin is not much to look at, but it's hard to find. This is a penny of William the Conqueror's son, King William II who was also known as "Rufus." He was a real bad boy who was a master at Medieval cursing and a vocal critic of the church. It was said the young men, half dressed walked around with a "womanly gait" in his court. He was the only British king who never married, so you might draw something from that.

Rufus was killed in a "hunting accident." After Henry I saw his bother shot through the heart with an arrow, he hightailed it to Winchester to claim the royal treasury and the crown. Henry made sure he beat out his brother, Robert, who was off fighting in one of the crusades.