How did the brothers feel about their inheritances after William's death?

• A. They were content with their shares
• B. They were greedy and wanted all of the power
• C. They planned to share equally
• D. They rejected the bequests

Answer: (B)

In feudal England, land and titles are the main sources of power, and succession among male heirs often sparked competition rather than harmony. When a ruler dies, brothers see the wealth and the throne as theirs to claim, so they’re likely to push for as much control as possible rather than be satisfied with a share. This is why the brothers would be described as greedy and wanting all of the power after William’s death. A historical example is the clash between William II and Robert Curthose over the English throne, which shows that brothers commonly pursued exclusive rule rather than equal or amicable division. The idea of contentment with shares, planning to share equally, or rejecting the bequests doesn’t align with how inheritance and power tended to work in this context, where ambition often outweighed cooperation.