William II, often referred to as William Rufus due to his ruddy complexion, was born around 1056. He was the third son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. Growing up as a prince in a newly conquered England, William would have been aware of the complexities of ruling a realm with a rich tapestry of local customs, divided loyalties, and external threats.

Upon the death of William the Conqueror in 1087, the vast Angevin Empire was divided. William Rufus inherited the throne of England while his elder brother, Robert Curthose, received the Duchy of Normandy. This division set the stage for sibling rivalries and territorial disputes that would characterize much of William II's reign.

As king, William Rufus faced internal dissensions and baronial revolts. His relationship with the English nobility was strained, largely due to his aggressive methods of extracting money and his occasional appropriation of church revenues. Unlike his father, who worked to integrate the Norman and Anglo-Saxon nobility, William II often appeared indifferent to these sensibilities, further alienating himself.

Parliament, as a formal institution, was yet to fully develop during William II's reign. However, councils and gatherings of nobles were frequent, and William's relationship with these entities was often contentious due to his fiscal policies and decisions regarding ecclesiastical appointments.

With the people of England, William II's reputation was mixed. His reign saw the continuation of the Norman impact on English society. While his rule was marked by relative internal peace and the consolidation of Norman rule, his perceived irreverence towards the church and his confrontational approach to governance did not endear him to all.

William II's foreign policy was largely dominated by his relations with Normandy and his ongoing disputes with his brother Robert. The two would frequently come into conflict over territorial claims. Additionally, William II's ambitions in Scotland led to a series of campaigns, further consolidating English dominance in the region.

William II's personal life was a topic of speculation and debate among chroniclers of his time. He never married and left no direct heirs. His relationships with his family, especially his siblings, were fraught with rivalry and tension, particularly with his elder brother Robert.

The king's end came suddenly in 1100 during a hunting expedition in the New Forest. Struck by an arrow, his death was shrouded in mystery and rumors. Some believed it was an accident, while others whispered of assassination plots. With his demise, his younger brother Henry quickly seized the throne, becoming Henry I of England.

The immediate response to William II's death was varied. Many in the church viewed him with disdain due to his quarrels with clerics and his policies towards ecclesiastical revenues. However, his ability to maintain relative stability in England and expand its influence could not be denied.

Culturally, William II's reign continued to see the blending of Norman and Anglo-Saxon traditions. Architecture, such as the early stages of the construction of Westminster Hall, showcased the era's grandeur. The period also witnessed the proliferation of Norman-French as the language of the elite, further embedding the Norman impact on English society. The societal structure was still predominantly feudal, with power dynamics largely determined by landholding and military service to the crown. The era, with its intrigues, consolidations, and transitions, was a significant chapter in the tapestry of English medieval history.