Henry I

Henry was born in England in 1068 or 1069, the fourth son of William the Conqueror. By the time his elder brother William became king, one of Henry's other older brothers had died, leaving Robert as the only other potential successor. William was killed in a hunting accident in August 1100, and Henry had himself crowned a few days later, taking advantage of Robert's absence on crusade.

An energetic, decisive and occasionally cruel ruler, Henry centralised the administration of England and Normandy in the royal court, using 'viceroys' in Normandy and a group of advisers in England to act on his behalf when he was absent across the Channel.

Henry successfully sought to increase royal revenues, as shown by the official records of his exchequer. He established peaceful relations with Scotland, through his marriage to Mathilda of Scotland.

In 1120, his legitimate sons William and Richard drowned in the White Ship which sank in the English Channel. This posed a succession problem, as Henry never allowed any of his illegitimate children to expect succession to either England or Normandy.

Henry had a legitimate daughter Matilda. However, it was his nephew Stephen (reigned 1135-1154), son of William the Conqueror's daughter Adela, who succeeded Henry after his death.

Green, Judith. The Government of England Under Henry I. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1989.

Green, Judith. Henry I: King of England and Duke of Normandy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2009.