The Holinshed Texts (1587, Volume 6, p. 16)

William Rufus or William the Red.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 _WIlliam, surnamed Rufus or William the Red,1087 Anno Reg. 1. second sonne to William Conque|ror, began his reigne ouer England the ninth of Sep|tember, in the yeare 1087. about the 31. yeare of the em|perour Henrie the fourth, and the 37. of Philip the first, king of France, Urbane the second then gouer|ning the sée of Rome, and Malcolme Cammoir reigning in Scotland. Polydor. Sim. Dunel. Matth. Paris. Immediatlie after his fa|thers deceasse, and before the solemnitie of the fune|rals were executed, he came ouer into England with no lesse spéed than was possible, and following the counsell of Lanfranke archbishop of Canturbu|rie (in whome he reposed all his trust) he sought to win the fauour of the Péers and Nobilitie of the realme by great and liberall gifts. For although there were but few of the homeborne States that bare rule in the land at this season; yet those that re|mained, and whome his father in extreme sort had wronged, he verie gentlie enterteined, promising them not onlie to continue their good lord and soue|reigne, but also to make more fauourable ordinan|ces than his father had left behind him; and further|more to restore the former lawes and liberties of the realme, which his said father had abolished. Thus by faire words and policie he obtained his purpose. Howbeit soone after he forgat himselfe, and impriso|ned Marchar and Wilnot, Sim. Dunel. Marchar and Wilnot. whom he had brought o|uer with him from Normandie, being set at liber|tie by his father.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 The Nobles at the first wished rather to haue had the elder brother duke Robert to haue gouerned them: howbeit by the aide onelie of the said Lan|franke,

Lanfranke had fauoured him euen of a child.

Matth. P [...]ris. William Ru|fus is crow|ned the 26. of September. Polydor.

His bounti|full [...].

whose authoritie was of no small force a|mongst all the lords of the land, this William (ac|cording to his fathers assignation) was proclaimed and crowned at Westminster on the 26. of Sep|tember (being sundaie, the 6. kalends of October) and the 11. indiction, as the best writers doo report. After his coronation, to gratifie the people he went to Winchester, where he found great treasure which his father had laid vp there for his owne vse: this he freelie spent in large gifts, and all kind of princelie largesse. He set verie manie prisoners at libertie, & did many other things to benefit the people, where|in the diligence and good aduice of Lanfranke did not a little preuaile. For he perceiued that there was in the king a variable mind, an vnstable nature, and a disposition to lightnesse and follie. Wherefore hée tooke oftentimes the more paines in persuading him not onelie to liberalitie (which is none of the least vertues in a prince) but also to vse a discreet and or|derlie behauiour in all his dooings. Moreouer, he sticked not to put him in feare of an euill end, and troublesome regiment likelie to insue, if he did giue himselfe to vice and wilfulnesse, & neglect the charge thus by the prouidence of GOD committed to his hands. After this maner did the said prelat trauell with the king, whom we will leaue at this time as it were hearkening to his admonitions, and set foorth by the waie what his brother Robert did, whilest William Rufus his brother was occupied in such wise as you haue heard.

Compare 1577 edition: 1 It happened that this Robert was abroad in Ger|manie, when king William his father died (whither he went to raise a power, to the intent he might ther|by obteine the possession of Normandie, which he trusted to enioy in his fathers life time) where hea|ring newes of his death, he hasted straightwaies in|to Normandie, and there being ioyfullie receiued, was peac [...]ablie proclaimed duke of that countrie, with great gladnesse and shouting of the people.