William was the only son of
Reginald II, Count of Burgundy, and nephew of
Pope Callixtus II via his father, whilst his mother, Countess Régine of Oltingen, was the daughter of Conon,
Count of Oltingen,
Bale in Swiss-Germany. He was brought up by his maternal grandfather and was given a German education, hence his nickname. On Reginald's death in 1095 during the
First Crusade aged 41, William succeeded him jointly with his uncle
Stephen as
count of Burgundy and
count of Mâcon. He married Agnes, daughter of
Berthold II of Zahringen. His son
William III was assassinated during his youth in 1127, and Stephen I's son
Renaud was made count. William II died in 1125, the victim of a plot against him by his barons. ==References==