The Probert Encyclopaedia of People

HENRY I

Henry I (Henry Beauclere - Henry Fine Scholar) was King of England from 1101 to 1135. He was born in 1068 at Selby and died in 1135. The youngest son of William the Conqueror, he was hunting with William Rufus when that prince was killed, in 1100, and instantly riding to London, caused himself to be proclaimed king, to the prejudice of his elder brother Robert, then absent as a Crusader. Henry I re-established by charter the laws of Edward the Confessor, recalled Anselm to the primacy, and married Matilda, daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland, thus conciliating in turn the people, the church, and the Scots.

Robert landed an army, but was pacified with a pension, and the promise of succession in event of his brother's decease. Soon after, however, Henry I invaded Normandy, took Robert prisoner in 1106, and reduced the duchy. He was successful also in the struggle with France. The last years of his reign were very troubled. In 1120 his only son William was drowned in returning from Normandy, where, three years later, a revolt occurred in favour of Robert's son. The Welsh also were a source of disturbance. Henry I appointed as his heir his daughter Matilda or Maud, whom he had married first to the Emperor Henry V, and then to Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou. Henry was succeeded by Stephen.
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