If in some respects William the Conqueror had been a harsh ruler, his
son was worse. His brother Robert had mortgaged Normandy to him in
order to get money to join the first crusade (S182). William Rufus
raised whatever funds he desired by the most oppressive and
unscrupulous means.
William's most trusted counselor was Ranulf Flambard. Flambard had
brains without principle. He devised a system of plundering both
Church and people in the King's interest. Lanfranc, Archbishop of
Canterbury, died three years after William's accession. Through
Flambard's advice the King left the archbishopric vacant and
appropriated its revenues to himself. He practiced the same course
with respect to every office of the Church.