Yet anyone preview of the book I’m writing. If I keep on at this rate, I’ll have published the whole thing online before I even finish it! Anyway…

Henry I (Henry Beauclerc)

Lived: c.1068 – 1135

Reigned: 1100 – 1135

Henry I of England, the youngest son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders, reigned from 1100 to 1135. William left him cash instead of land, recognizing his commanding nature and believing Henry would end up with everything anyway. After his brother William II’s death, Henry quickly secured the treasury at Winchester, benefiting from their brother Robert’s absence as he returned from the First Crusade. Henry argued that his claim to the throne was stronger due to “porphyrogeniture”—being born while William I was already king.

Henry granted a charter that influenced later documents like the Magna Carta and introduced the Exchequer to manage royal finances.

Initially, his brother Robert Curthose acknowledged Henry’s rule in exchange for a yearly tribute, but an uprising led by Robert of Bellême resulted in Henry invading Normandy and defeating Robert of Bellême at the Battle of Tinchebray in 1106. Robert Curthose was imprisoned for life, and Bellême was captured in 1112. He died at Cardiff Castle in 1134, never having had his shot ot being King.

Henry married Matilda of Scotland, linking his descendants to the pre-conquest House of Wessex.

Despite fathering over 20 illegitimate children, his legitimate heirs were William and Matilda. After his son William’s death in the White Ship disaster of 1120, Henry named Matilda of the Holy Roman Empire his successor. He probably had to be really specific on the wording of this declaration, as, including illegitimate ones, he had FOUR daughters named Matilda, never mind his wife, and grandmother. Maybe he had no imagination, or was really bad with names.

His 20+ illegitimate children lead to the myth that pretty much everyone from the the UK has royal blood.

Henry I died in 1135, of “a surfeit of lampreys”, making him the only English monarch to have expired from gorging himself on eels.

“Mmmmmm, eels!”

His passing caused a small family squabble about the succession. On the side we had Stephen, nephew of Henry I, and on the other Matilda, Henry’s daughter and named heiress.

So, obviously Stephen seized the crown.