Henry I of France facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Henry I
Effigy of Henry from his seal
King of the Franks (more...)
Junior king Senior king	14 May 1027 – 20 July 1031; 20 July 1031 – 4 August 1060
Coronation	14 May 1027, Cathedral of Reims
Predecessor	Robert II
Successor	Philip I
Born	4 May 1008 Reims, France
Died	4 August 1060 (aged 52) Vitry-aux-Loges, France
Burial	Saint Denis Basilica, Paris, France
Spouse	Matilda of Frisia Anne of Kiev
Issue more...	Philip I of France Hugh I, Count of Vermandois
House	Capet
Father	Robert II of France
Mother	Constance of Arles

Henry I (born 4 May 1008 – died 4 August 1060) was the King of the Franks from 1031 to 1060. During his time as king, the land directly controlled by the French crown became very small. Because of this, some people think he was a weak king. However, other historians believe he was a strong and smart ruler. They say he had to make decisions based on the limited power of the early French kings.

Becoming King

Henry was a member of the House of Capet, a powerful royal family. He was born in Reims, France. His father was King Robert II, and his mother was Constance of Arles.

Following a tradition of his family, Henry was crowned King of France on 14 May 1027. This happened at the Cathedral of Reims while his father was still alive. He didn't have much power until his father died. After his father's death, Henry became the main ruler.

Henry's Rule and Challenges

Like the kings before him, Henry I's rule was full of fights over land. At first, he joined his brother Robert and their mother in a rebellion against his father in 1025. However, his mother later supported Robert to become king instead of Henry.

When his father died, Henry had to deal with his rebellious brother. In 1032, Henry made peace with Robert. He gave him the duchy of Burgundy, a large area of land, which his father had given to Henry earlier.

Helping William the Conqueror

In a smart move, Henry helped his young nephew-in-law, Duke William of Normandy. William later became known as William the Conqueror. William was facing a rebellion from his own nobles. In 1047, Henry helped William win a big battle called the Battle of Val-ès-Dunes near Caen. This victory helped William secure his control over Normandy.

However, Henry later changed his mind. He started to support the nobles who were against William. This continued until Henry's death in 1060.

Conflicts with Normandy

In 1034, William of Normandy married Matilda. She was the daughter of the count of Flanders. Henry saw this marriage as a possible threat to his own power.

Because of this, Henry invaded Normandy twice. He attacked in 1054 and again in August 1057. But he lost both times. These defeats happened at the battles of Mortemer and Varaville.

Meetings with the Holy Roman Emperor

Henry had three important meetings with Henry III, Holy Roman Emperor. All these meetings took place in a town called Ivois.

• In early 1043, they met to talk about the emperor marrying Agnes of Poitou. She was the daughter of one of Henry's nobles.
• In October 1048, the two kings met again and signed a friendship agreement.
• Their last meeting was in May 1056. They discussed disagreements about Theobald III and the County of Blois. The discussion became very heated. Henry even accused the emperor of breaking their agreement and left the meeting.

Later Years and Death

In 1058, Henry was selling positions in the church, like bishoprics and abbacies. He ignored accusations of simony (selling church offices) and tyranny from a church official named Cardinal Humbert. In 1060, Henry rebuilt the Saint-Martin-des-Champs Priory outside Paris.

Even though Henry gained some land, like part of the County of Sens in 1055, he also lost Burgundy in 1032. His 29-year reign saw the power of local lords in France become very strong.

King Henry I died on 4 August 1060 in Vitry-en-Brie, France. He was buried in the Basilica of St Denis. His son, Philip I of France, became the next king. Henry's queen, Anne of Kiev, ruled as a temporary leader for their young son. At the time of his death, Henry was trying to capture Thimert, a town that the Normans had taken in 1058.

Marriages and Children

Henry I was first engaged to Matilda of Franconia, the daughter of Conrad II, Holy Roman Emperor. But she died young in 1034.

Henry then married Matilda of Frisia, but she also died in 1044.

Looking for a third wife, Henry married Anne of Kiev on 19 May 1051. They had several children:

• Philip I (born around 1052 – died 30 July 1108).
• Emma (born 1054 – died 1109?).
• Robert (died 1060).
• Hugh "the Great" of Vermandois (born 1057–died 1102).

See also

In Spanish: Enrique I de Francia para niños