Historical
and Commemorative Medals
Collection of Benjamin Weiss
WILLIAM II
DASSIER, Jean: England, 1731, Bronze, 41 mm William II (1060-1100) (William Rufus) was the son of
William the Conqueror and King of England from 1087 to 1100. Rufus, ‘the
Red’ because of his ruddy complexion, was William’s third (second surviving)
and favorite son. In accordance with feudal custom, William I bequeathed his
inheritance, the Duchy of Normandy, to his eldest son, Robert II, and his
kingdom by conquest, England , was given to Rufus. William II prevented the
dissolution of political ties between England and Normandy, but his
strong-armed rule earned him a reputation as a brutal and corrupt tyrant.
(Thompson) The reverse of this medal is an allegory of Avarice
associated with this ruler, represented by the winged head, indicating that
when a man accustoms himself to that vice it always carries him too far. The
flames would then represent the consuming frenzy of Avarice, and the
withered branches the end result of indulging in this sin. (Eisler)
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