William II was King of England from 1087 until 1100. His death occurred when he was out hunting with his friend, Walter Tirel. He urged Tirel: “Shoot! Walter, in heaven’s name!” Tirel did shoot… and his arrow pierced the king’s lung and killed him.
Culled from: Weird Wills & Eccentric Last Wishes
I’m always happy when I hear of a hunter being killed while out killing other things, even one long ago. Made my day start out happy.
911 Operator: “Don’t panic. First, make sure he’s really dead…”
Apparently it was not entirely an accident. William was despised by almost everyone, peasant and noble alike, and Mr Tyrell’s explanation was accepted with no reservations. Had the king been even a bit more popular, even if it had really been an accident, Tyrell would probably have been executed.