Background
He was a son of Renauld II, of Nevers and his second wife Agnes of Beaugency. She was a daughter of Renauld II and his first wife Ida of Lyon and Forez.
He was a son of Renauld II, of Nevers and his second wife Agnes of Beaugency. She was a daughter of Renauld II and his first wife Ida of Lyon and Forez.
He had an older half-sister, Ermengarde of Nevers, who married into the House of Courtenay. He had at least two younger brothers. The other was Hugh of Nevers, only mentioned in a charter dating to 1144.
The Origine et Historia Brevi Nivernensium Comitum mentions that Renaud II served as co-ruler to his father but predeceased him on 5 August 1089.
His death left William I as the only of Nevers and William II as his heir apparent. He took part in the Crusade of 1101.
He set out in February 1101 with 15,000 men, but his army failed to take the heavily garrisoned Konya and was virtually wiped out during the disastrous Battle of Heraclea Cybistra. He arrived in Antioch with only a handful of knights.
He persuaded Louis VI to break peace with Henry I and throw his support behind William Clito in 1115.
He was imprisoned shortly afterwards by Theobald, count of Blois. He participated in the Council of Troyes which opened on 14 January 1129 and is known for his support of the Second Crusade. He is believed to have been buried in Chartreuse, where Bernard of Clairvaux attempted and failed to resurrect him.