Walter Tirel facts for kids
Walter Tyrrell III (born 1065, died sometime after 1100) was a nobleman from both England and Normandy. He is well-known for his connection to the death of King William II of England, who was also called William Rufus.
Contents
Walter Tyrrell's Life
Walter Tirel was born in Tonbridge, Kent. His father was also named Walter Tirel. Walter became the lord of Poix-de-Picardie in France. He also owned land in Langham, Essex in England. He was connected to the English royal family through his marriage. He married Adeliza, who was the daughter of Richard Fitz Gilbert, a relative of the king. Walter Tyrrell died sometime after the year 1100. His grandson, Hugh Tyrrel, later took part in the Norman Conquest of Ireland. He became the first baron of Castleknock.
The Death of King William II
On August 2, 1100, King William II went on a hunting trip. The hunt took place in the New Forest. The day before the hunt, the King received six arrows. He kept four for himself. He gave the other two to Walter Tirel. The King told Tirel, "Good archer, good arrows."
During the hunt, the group spread out. They were chasing their prey. King William and Walter Tirel became separated from the others. This was the last time anyone saw King William alive.
Historians say that Tirel shot an arrow at a stag (a male deer). But instead of hitting the deer, the arrow hit King William. It went into his chest and hurt his lungs. Walter was very scared. He quickly got on his horse and rode away to France.
A famous writer named William of Malmesbury wrote about this event. He called Tirel "Walter Thurold." Here is part of his story from around 1128:
- The King went into the forest. He was with only a few people. Walter Thurold stayed with him. The others were hunting elsewhere. The sun was going down. The King shot his bow and arrow. He slightly wounded a stag that passed by.
- The stag was still running. The King watched it for a long time. He held up his hand to block the sun. At that moment, Walter decided to shoot another stag. The arrow hit the King's chest.
- The King did not say a word when he was hit. He broke off the arrow shaft from his body. This made him die faster. Walter immediately ran to him. But he saw the King was not moving. He quickly got on his horse and escaped. No one chased him. Some people helped him get away. Others felt sorry for him.
- The King's body was put on a cart. It was taken to the cathedral in Winchester. He was buried inside the tower there. The next year, the tower fell down. William Rufus died in 1100. He was forty years old.
Was it an Accident or Murder?
Some people at the time thought the King's death was a punishment from God. But over the years, many wondered if it was an accident. People thought one of William's enemies might have planned it.
Even writers from that time pointed out something important. Walter was known as a very good archer. It seemed unlikely he would make such a wild shot by mistake.
King William's brother, Henry, was also on the hunting trip. Henry became king soon after William's death. This made some people suspicious. However, many historians believe it was truly an accident. Accidents like this were common during hunts back then.
Abbot Suger, another writer, was Walter Thurold's friend. He helped Walter when he fled to France. Abbot Suger later said:
- People said that a nobleman, Walter Thurold, shot the King with an arrow. But I often heard him swear that he was not in that part of the forest. He said he never saw the King in the forest at all that day. He swore this when he had nothing to fear or hope for.
The Rufus Stone
The place where King William II is believed to have fallen is marked today. It is called the Rufus Stone. It is near Minstead in the New Forest. Walter Tirel's name is written on the stone as "Sir Walter Tyrrell." There is also a pub nearby called "Sir Walter Tyrrell."
