Henry I of England facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Henry I "Beauclerc" |
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| King of the English | |
Miniature from illuminated Chronicle of Matthew Paris
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| King of the English | |
| Reign | 3 August 1100 – 1 December 1135 |
| Coronation | 5 August 1100 |
| Predecessor | William II "Rufus" |
| Successor | Stephen "of Blois" (de facto) Matilda of England (de jure) |
| Duke of the Normans | |
| Reign | 1106 – 1 December 1135 |
| Predecessor | Robert II "Curthose" |
| Successor | Stephen "of Blois" |
| Born | c. 1068/1069 Selby, Yorkshire |
| Died | 1 December 1135 (aged 66-67) Saint-Denis-en-Lyons, Normandy |
| Burial | Reading Abbey, Berkshire |
| Spouse | Matilda of Scotland (1100–1118) Adeliza of Louvain (1121–) |
| Issue | Empress Matilda William Adelin |
| House | Norman dynasty |
| Father | William I "the Conqueror" |
| Mother | Matilda of Flanders |
Henry I of England (c. 1068 C.E. - 1 December 1135 C.E.), also called Henry Beauclerc (meaning good scholar), was the King of England. He ruled from, 1100 until his death in 1135. Henry was born in Selby, Yorkshire. He was the fourth son of William the Conqueror and Queen Matilda of Flanders. Henry was the only child born in England. His mother had come to England for her coronation in 1068.
Henry was educated in Latin and the liberal arts. His parents probably raised him to go into the Church when he was old enough. On William's death in 1087, Henry's two older brothers were each left half of their father's kingdom. Robert Curthose became Duke of Normandy. William Rufus became king of England. But Henry, still a minor, was left with no inheritance. Henry purchased the County of Cotentin in western Normandy from Robert. But Robert and William Rufus forced him out in 1091. Henry gradually rebuilt his power base in the Cotentin. He then allied himself with William against Robert. Henry was present when William died in a hunting accident in 1100. Robert was away on Crusade. Henry, who was present when William was killed, rushed to seize the English throne for himself.
As King, Henry tried to make social reforms. He issued the Charter of Liberties which is considered a predecessor of the Magna Carta. He put back in place some of the laws of Edward the Confessor.
Henry and his wife had two children, Matilda and William Adelin. William died in the White Ship sinking on November 25, 1120. Henry also fathered more illegitimate children than any other English King. Estimates by various historians place the number between 20 and 25.
Henry died in 1135. He was visiting his daughter and grandchildren in Normandy. After his death, his daughter Mathilda and his nephew, Stephen, argued over who would become the ruler of England, and started a civil war called The Anarchy.
Images for kids
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13th-century depiction of Henry
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Depiction of Bishop Odo (wielding club at centre) who imprisoned Henry from 1088–89. From the Bayeux Tapestry.
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Mont Saint-Michel, site of the 1091 siege
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A 17th-century manuscript drawing of Henry's coronation.
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Henry's first wife, Matilda of Scotland
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Early 14th-century depiction of Henry
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The village of Tinchebray in 2008
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The seal of Archbishop Anselm of Canterbury
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The ruined chapter house of Reading Abbey in 2008
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Denier coin of Henry's rival, Louis VI of France
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Silver pennies of Henry I, struck at the Oxford mint
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Early 14th-century depiction of the sinking of the White Ship at Barfleur on 25 November 1120
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Part of the Welsh Brut y Tywysogion, one of the chronicler sources for Henry's reign
