William II.
All that we read of this character is the story of his accidentally shooting King William II. while they were hunting together in the New Forest. It is supposed by many historians that the arrow was aimed intentionally at the king. By most modern authors the story is entirely discredited.
THOMAS À BECKET.
Born 1117.—Died 1170.—Henry I.—Stephen.—Henry II.
Chancellor to Henry II. and tutor to his son, he became a great favourite with the king, who afterwards made him Archbishop of Canterbury. He then espoused the cause of the clergy against the king, and so exasperated him by turning against him, that he was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral by four knights, in whose presence the king had a short time previously rashly exclaimed: “Is there nobody that will rid me of this turbulent priest?”
RICHARD CŒUR DE LION.
Reigned 1189–1199.
Son of Henry II.; succeeded his father in 1189 as King Richard I. Of the ten years of his reign, six months only were spent in England; his life was passed in the crusades in the Holy Land, when after taking Acre he attacked Jerusalem, but without success. On his return through Germany, after being shipwrecked, he was imprisoned by the emperor, and was not released until he had paid a heavy ransom. Shortly after his return he was besieging a castle in France, when he was shot by an arrow.
STEPHEN CARDINAL LANGTON.
Born 1151—Died 1228.—John.