King Henry I Beauclerc
King Henry I of England was the youngest son of William the Conqueror. He was also the only Norman king who could read and write. This education came from his upbringing in the church, unlike his siblings. Henry I had a long and successful reign in England, and due to his ambitious nature, he expanded his kingdom into Normandy.
| Born | September 1068, Selby, Yorkshire |
| Parents | William the Conqueror & Matilda of Flanders |
| Married | Matilda, daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland and Adeliza, daughter of Geoffrey VII, Count of Louvain |
| Children | 4, inc William Aetheling and Matilda |
| Died | 1 December 1135, St Denis-en-Lyons, Rouen (67) |
| Reign | 1100 - 1135 (35) |
| Crowned | 5 August 1100, Westminster Abbey (32) |
| Predecessor | William II Rufus (brother) |
| Successor | Stephen (nephew) |
| House | Norman |
Life Events of King Henry i
1068
Henry is born in September in Selby, Yorkshire, England. He is the fourth son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders.
1100
Following the death of his brother, King William II, Henry makes a political alliance by signing the Treaty of Alton with his elder brother Robert Curthose, who claims the English throne. The treaty allows Henry to secure his position as king.
1100
On 5 August 5, Henry is crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey. His coronation establishes his legitimacy as the ruler of England.
1100
Henry issues the Charter of Liberties, which aims to restore some of the legal rights and privileges that had been diminished under William the Conqueror. It grants certain liberties to the church and the barons, establishing Henry's commitment to good governance.
1100
King Henry I marries Matilda of Scotland, who is the daughter of King Malcolm III of Scotland and St Margaret. The union strengthens Henry's claim to the throne and they go on to have several children.
1120
Tragedy strikes when the White Ship, carrying Henry's only legitimate son and heir, William Adelin, sinks off the coast of Normandy in November. The event devastates Henry and leaves him without a clear successor.
1127
King Henry I makes his barons swear an oath to support his daughter, Matilda, as his successor.
1128
Henry I negotiates the Treaty of Westminster with the French king, recognizing Matilda as his heir and securing her marriage to Geoffrey Plantagenet.
1135
King Henry I dies on 1 December 1, in Lyons-la-Forêt, Normandy, France. His death leads to a period of civil war known as The Anarchy, as his daughter Matilda and his nephew Stephen both claim the throne.
Interesting Facts About King Henry i
Epithet
Henry was commonly referred to as ‘Beauclerc’, which means ‘Fine Scholar’ in French. This nickname emphasized his renowned education and intelligence.Illegitimate Children
While Henry had legitimate children from his marriage to Matilda of Scotland, he also had numerous illegitimate children. One of his most notable illegitimate sons was Robert, who became the Earl of Gloucester and played a significant role in supporting Henry's daughter, Matilda, during the succession crisis.Royal Library
Henry I had an extensive collection of books and manuscripts, which was considered one of the largest and most impressive libraries in medieval Europe. He had a personal interest in literature and was known for his patronage of scholars.Lion Incident
According to legend, Henry I encountered a ferocious lion while hunting in the forests of England. However, instead of attacking him, the lion knelt before him, signifying Henry's bravery and divine favour. This incident enhanced his reputation as a powerful ruler.Coinage Reforms
Henry implemented significant reforms in the English currency system. He introduced a standardised silver penny known as the ‘sterling’, which became the basis of the British currency system for centuries.Eye Condition
Henry I had a condition known as strabismus, which caused his eyes to point in different directions. This condition earned him the nickname ‘Henry Beauclerc the Cross-Eyed’.Foundation of Religious Houses
Henry I played a role in the foundation of several important religious houses, including Reading Abbey and the Abbey of St. Denis in France. These establishments demonstrated his piety and desire to support the church.Legal Reforms
Henry is known for his efforts to improve the legal system in England. He established royal courts and implemented legal reforms to strengthen his authority and promote justice throughout the kingdom.Death
King Henry I died after consuming a ‘surfeit of lampreys’ during a meal, which caused severe food poisoning. This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive indulgence.
Battles Fought By King Henry I
Battle of Tinchebray
On 28 September 1106, this battle took place during the conflict between King Henry I and his older brother Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy. Henry I's forces decisively defeated Robert's army, leading to Henry's capture of Robert and solidifying his control over both England and Normandy.Battle of Bremule
On 20 August 1119, this battle was fought between Henry I of England and King Louis VI (the fat) of France. Henry I's forces clashed with the French army near the town of Bremule in Normandy. The battle resulted in a victory for Henry I, strengthening his position in Normandy.Battle of Bourgtheroulde
On 26 March 1124, this battle occurred during the ongoing conflict between Henry I of England and King Louis VI of France. Henry's forces engaged the French army near the town of Bourgtheroulde in Normandy. The battle ended inconclusively, with neither side achieving a decisive victory.
FAQs About the King
When was King Henry I born?
King Henry I was born in September 1068 in Selby, Yorkshire, England.How did King Henry I become king?
Henry became king following the suspicious death of his brother, King William II, in a hunting accident. He quickly seized the throne and was crowned in 1100.Who was King Henry I's wife?
King Henry I married Matilda of Scotland in 1100. She was the daughter of King Malcolm III of Scotland and St. Margaret.Did King Henry I have any legitimate children?
Yes, King Henry I had several legitimate children. His most notable legitimate child was his daughter Matilda, who later became Empress Matilda and claimed the English throne.What was King Henry I's nickname?
King Henry I was commonly referred to as ‘Beauclerc’, which means ‘Fine Scholar’ or ‘Good Writer’ in French, highlighting his reputation for intelligence and education.What were King Henry I's major accomplishments?
King Henry I introduced the Charter of Liberties, which granted certain liberties to the church and the barons. He also implemented legal and administrative reforms, standardised the currency and established a significant royal library.How did King Henry I die?
King Henry I died on 1 December 1135, in Lyons-la-Forêt, Normandy, France, after consuming a ‘surfeit of lampreys’, which caused severe food poisoning.What was the succession crisis following King Henry I's death?
Following King Henry I's death, a succession crisis known as The Anarchy erupted. It involved a dispute between his daughter, Matilda, and his nephew, Stephen, both claiming the English throne, leading to a period of civil war.
Further Reading
Henry I was not originally intended to be King of England. William the Conqueror's eldest son, Robert Curthose, fought against his father at the siege of Mantes, but was still first in line to the throne. But on William the Conqueror's death bed, Robert was only granted the Duchy of Normandy, while William's second son, William II (Rufus), was granted England. Henry I, William's youngest son only received money.
William II, had a quick and unpopular reign, and died rather suspiciously in a hunting accident in 1100. Henry was present at the time! However, William II had already nominated their older brother Robert (inset) as his heir, so Henry I had to act quickly to secure the treasury, and was crowned on 5 August 1100 at Westminster Abbey, before Robert returned from the Crusades.
Henry I knew this would result in a rebellion from Robert, so he publicly distanced himself from the unpopular policies of William II, and also favoured himself with the church. Henry then married Matilda, daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland, which helped his alliance with the Scots and the Anglo-Saxons (as Matilda was niece to Edgar the Atheling). A strategic move to support his new position.
Henry Duke of Normandy
In 1101, Robert had returned from the Crusades, and immediately invaded England. However, Henry I was able to negotiate with Robert, offering him a good pension. Relative peace ensued for five years, but rebel barons and Robert himself were causing civil unrest in Normandy, and continually disputing with Henry. So Henry I decided to invade Normandy, to put to rest his rebellious brother and his barons. The Battle of Tinchebray proceeded in 1106, in Tinchebray, Normandy. Henry I and his knights had a decisive victory. He imprisoned Robert in Devizes castle, and then relocated him to Cardiff castle, where Robert eventually died.
Henry I was now Duke of Normandy as well as King of England. His control of Normandy was challenged by Loius VI of France, who recognised Robert Curthose's son, William Clito, as legitimate heir. A major rebellion followed in Normandy, from 1116 - 1119. Henry I was again victorious, this time at the Battle of Bremule, and a peace settlement was agreed with Loius VI in 1120.
Henry I Beauclerc and the Investiture Controversy
Henry I was known as Henry Beauclerc, which means 'good writer' or ‘fine scholar. He was well educated in Latin and Liberal Arts, and primarily educated by the church. His father, William I, had a good relationship with the English church, reforming it with support from Lanfranc, the Archbishop of Canterbury. Lanfranc would become a close advisor of Williams. But, William II (Rufus) had pretty much destroyed this special relationship. Henry, much like his father, also wanted to church reform, but ended up becoming involved in the Investiture Controversy. This was a significant conflict between the church and the state. With all the back and forth disputes between Rome and Westminster, the Archbishop at the time, Anselm, decided to go into exile and live out his days in the peace and quiet of an abbey.
The investiture decided who would appoint and invest in the clergy, which had always been the role of the king. The pope declared this unlawful, which would mean Henry would have little say in which clergy could be appointed. The concern for the king would be the potential for the appointed clergyman to have an awful lot of power. Henry therefore ignored this, and the pope threatened him with excommunication. So, as a compromise, Henry renounced investiture but kept authority over church lands. This meant that Henry would continue to keep the church revenues, and have the say on who lived in church properties.
Henry I Descendants
Henry I's eldest son and legitimate heir to the throne, William Aetheling, tragically died during a crossing from France to England on the White Ship, a new fast ship in Henry's fleet. The ship crashed into a rock soon after they set off, and capsized. William, who was safely in a life-boat, decided to return to the sinking ship to save his half-sister, Matilda. However, the life-boat soon became consumed with too many people trying to save themselves, and sank too, taking William with it. Further more, Henry's illegitimate son, Richard, also drowned. It is said that the Henry I never smiled again.
Henry had no choice now, but to name Matilda as his heir. This decision would lead to civil war after his death.
