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King Henry I Beauclerc Of Angevin ENGLAND, Of England

King Henry I Beauclerc Of Angevin ENGLAND, Of England[1]

Male 1068 - 1135  (67 years)

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  • Name Henry I Beauclerc Of Angevin ENGLAND  [2
    Prefix King 
    Suffix Of England 
    Born 1068  Selby, Yorkshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    TitleOfNobility Between 1100 and 1135  [3
    King of England 
    Christened 5 Aug 1100  When Crowned, Selby, Yorkshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    FamilySearch ID 9CS3-646 
    TitleOfNobility Between 1106 and 1120  [3
    Duke of Normandy 
    Name Henry I  [3
    Died 1 Dec 1135  Saint-Denis-en-Lyons, Normandy, France Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Buried 3 Jan 1136  Reading Abbey, Reading, Berkshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [2
    Person ID I594766775  Carney Wehofer 2024 Genealogy
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 

    Father William II "The Conqueror" Of Normandy ANGEVIN, King Of England,   b. 14 Oct 1027, Falaise, Calvados, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Sep 1087, Hermenbraville, Rouen, Normandie Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 59 years) 
    Mother Countess Matilda LE CHAUVRE, Queen Of England,   b. 24 Nov 1031, Nord-Pas-de-Calais, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Nov 1083, Caen, Calvados, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 51 years) 
    Married 1050  Castle Of, Angi, Normandy, France Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Alt. Marriage Abt 1053  [4
    Alt. Marriage 
    • Eu, Seine-Inferieure, France
    Family ID F3348  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Concubine Edith Fitzforne SIGULFSON,   b. Abt 1072, Greystoke, Cumberland, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1152  (Age ~ 80 years) 
    Married Associated With Concubine Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Robert FITZROY, 1st Earl of Gloucester,   b. 1090, Caen, Calvados, France Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 31 Oct 1147, Bristol Castle, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 57 years)
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 
    Family ID F3342  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Isabel (Elizabeth) DE BEAUMONT,   b. Abt 1096, Of Leicester, Leicestershire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1173  (Age ~ 77 years) 
    Married Associated With Concubine Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Maud Of Montivilliers, Abbess Of Montivilliers,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Isabel,   b. Abt 1120,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 
    Family ID F3343  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 3 Nesta Verch RHYS, Princess Of Deheubarth,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Married Associated With Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Henry FITZHENRY,   b. Abt 1103,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 
    Family ID F3344  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 4 Ansfride,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Married Abt 1086  England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Juliane, Nun At Fontevrault,   b. Abt 1090,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Fulk, Monk At Abingdon,   b. Bef 1100,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Richard Of Lincoln,   b. Bef 1101,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 
    Family ID F3341  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 5 Sybilla CORBET,   b. Abt 1082, Alcester, Warwickshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1156  (Age ~ 74 years) 
    Married 1092  Concubine Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Alice (Aline),   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Constance,   d. Yes, date unknown
     3. Matilda (Maud),   d. Yes, date unknown
     4. William DE TRACY,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. Eustacie,   d. Yes, date unknown
     6. Gundred,   d. Yes, date unknown
     7. Joan (Elizabeth),   d. Yes, date unknown
     8. Emma,   d. Yes, date unknown
     9. Queen Sybillia Elizabeth, Of Scottland,   b. Abt 1092,   d. 1122  (Age ~ 30 years)
     10. Reginald DE DUNSTANVILLE, Earl Of Cornwall,   b. Abt 1110, Of Dunstanville, Kent, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Jul 1175, Chertsey, Surrey, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 65 years)
     11. Gilbert,   b. Abt 1130,   d. Yes, date unknown
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 
    Family ID F3340  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 6 Matilda (Maud) HUNTINGTON,   b. Abt 1072, Of Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Apr 1130-1131, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 59 years) 
    Married 11 Nov 1100  Westminster Abbey, London, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 
    Family ID F3339  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 7 Princess Matilda "Atheling" CAENMOR, Of Scotland,   b. Abt 1079-1080, Dunfermline Abbey, Dunfermline, Fifeshire, Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 May 1118, Westminster, London, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 38 years) 
    Married 11 Nov 1100  Westminster Abbey, London, Middlesex, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Elizabeth Princess Of ENGLAND,   b. Abt 1095, Of, Talby, Yorkshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. Son Prince Of ENGLAND,   b. Jul 1101, Of, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1101-1102  (Age ~ 0 years)
     3. William "Atheling" Prince Of ENGLAND, Duke Of Normandy,   b. Bef 5 Aug 1103, Of, Selby, Yorkshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Nov 1119, At Sea, Barfleur, Manche, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 16 years)
     4. Queen Maud Matilda ANGEVIN, Normandie,   b. 5 Aug 1103, London, Middlesexshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Sep 1169, Notre Dame, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years)
     5. Richard Prince Of ENGLAND,   b. Abt 1105, Of, , , England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Sep 1119, At Sea, Barfleur, Manche, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 14 years)
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 
    Family ID F3070  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 8 Adelicia, Princess Of Brabant,   b. Abt 1094, Of Brabant, Netherlands Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Apr 1151, Affligham, Flanders, France Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 57 years) 
    Married 29 Jan 1122  Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 30 Dec 2022 
    Family ID F3338  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Henry I Beauclerc.jpg
    Henry I Beauclerc.jpg

  • Notes 
    • BIOGRAPHY: Reigned 1100-1135, Duke of Normandy 1106-1135. His reign is notable for important legal and administrative reforms, and for the final resolution of the investiture controversy. Abroad, he waged several campaigns in order to consolidate and expand his continental possessions. Was so hated by his brothers that they vowed to disinherit him. In 1106 he captured Robert and held him til he died. He proved to be a hard but just ruler. He apparently died from over eating Lampreys.

      Henry I was born in the year 1068---a factor he himself regarded as highly significant, for he was the only son of the Conqueror born after the conquest of England, and to Henry this meant he was heir to the throne. He was not an attractive proposition: he was dissolute to a degree, producing at least a score of bastards; but far worse he was prone to sadistic cruelty---on one occasion, for example, personally punishing a rebellious burgher by throwing him from the walls of his town.

      At the death of William the Conqueror, Henry was left no lands, merely 5,000 pounds of silver. With these he bought lands from his elder brother Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, only to see them taken back again a few years later by Robert, in unholy alliance with his brother William Rufus.

      Henry could do little to avenge such treatment, but in England he found numerous barons who were tired of the exactions and ambitions of their king. He formed alliances with some of these, notably with the important de Clare family. He and some of the de Clares were with William Rufus on his last hunting expedition, and it is thought that the king's death was the result of Henry's plotting.

      Certainly he moved fast to take advantage of it; leaving Rufus's body unattended in the woods, he swooped down on Winchester to take control of the treasury. Two days later he was in Westminster, being crowned by the Bishop of London. His speed is understandable when one realises that his elder brother, Robert [Curthose], was returning from the crusade, and claimed, with good reason, to be the true heir.

      Henry showed great good sense in his first actions as King. He arrested Ranulph Flambard, William's tax-gatherer, and recalled Anselm, the exiled Archbishop. Furthermore, he issued a Charter of Liberties which promised speedy redress of grievances, and a return to the good government of the Conqueror. Putting aside for the moment his many mistresses, he married the sister of the King of Scots, who was descended from the royal line of Wessex; and lest the Norman barons should think him too pro-English in this action, he changed her name from Edith to Matilda. No one could claim that he did not aim to please.

      In 1101 Robert Curthose invaded, but Henry met him at Alton, and persuaded him to go away again by promising him an annuity of £2,000. He had no intention of keeping up the payments, but the problem was temporarily solved.

      He now felt strong enough to move against dissident barons who might give trouble in the future. Chief amongst these was the vicious Robert of Bellême, Earl of Shrewsbury, whom Henry had known for many years as a dangerous troublemaker. He set up a number of charges against him in the king's court, making it plain that if he appeared for trial he would be convicted and imprisoned. Thus Robert and his colleagues were forced into rebellion at a time not of their own choosing, were easily defeated and sent scuttling back to Normandy.

      In Normandy Robert Curthose began to wreak his wrath on all connected with his brother, thus giving Henry an excellent chance to retaliate with charges of misgovernment and invade. He made two expeditions in 1104-5, before the great expedition of 1106 on which Robert was defeated at the hour-long battle of Tinchebrai, on the anniversary of Hastings. No one had expected such an easy victory, but Henry took advantage of the state of shock resulting from the battle to annex Normandy. Robert was imprisoned (in some comfort, it be said); he lived on for 28 more years, ending up in Cardiff castle whiling away the long hours learning Welsh. His son William Clito remained a free agent, to plague Henry for most of the rest of his reign.

      In England the struggle with Anselm over the homage of bishops ran its course until the settlement of 1107. In matters of secular government life was more simple: Henry had found a brilliant administrator, Roger of Salisbury, to act as Justiciar for him. Roger had an inventive mind, a keen grasp of affairs, and the ability to single out young men of promise. He quickly built up a highly efficient team of administrators, and established new routines and forms of organisation within which they could work. To him we owe the Exchequer and its recording system of the Pipe Rolls, the circuits of royal justiciars spreading the king's peace, and the attempts at codification of law. Henry's good relationships with his barons, and with the burgeoning new towns owed much to skilful administration. Certainly he was able to gain a larger and more reliable revenue this way than by the crude extortion his brother had used.

      In 1120 came the tragedy of the White Ship. The court was returning to England, and the finest ship in the land was filled with its young men, including Henry's son and heir William. Riotously drunk, they tried to go faster and faster, when suddenly the ship foundered. All hands except a butcher of Rouen were lost, and England was without an heir.

      Henry's only legitimate child was Matilda, but she was married to the Emperor Henry V of Germany, and so could not succeed. But in 1125 her husband died, and Henry brought her home and forced the barons to swear fealty to her---though they did not like the prospect of a woman ruler. Henry then married her to Geoffrey of Anjou, the Normans' traditional enemy, and the barons were less happy---especially when the newly-weds had a terrible row, and Geoffrey ordered her out of his lands. In 1131 Henry, absolutely determined, forced the barons to swear fealty once more, and the fact that they did so is testimoney of his controlling power. Matilda and Geoffrey were reunited, and in 1133 she produced a son whom she named for his grandfather. If only Henry could live on until his grandson was old enough to rule, all would be well.

      But in 1135, against doctor's orders, he ate a hearty meal of lampreys, got acute indigestion, which turned into fever, and died. He was buried at his abbey in Reading---some said in a silver coffin, for which there was an unsuccessful search at the Dissolution. [Source: Who's Who in the Middle Ages, John Fines, Barnes & Noble Books, New York, 1995]

  • Sources 
    1. [S400] Ancestral File (R), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, (Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998).

    2. [S1160] FamilySearch Family Tree (http://www.familysearch.org), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ((http://www.familysearch.org)), accessed 30 Dec 2022), entry for Robert Fitzroy, person ID 9CS2-22H. (Reliability: 3).

    3. [S1160] FamilySearch Family Tree (http://www.familysearch.org), The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, ((http://www.familysearch.org)), accessed 30 Dec 2022), entry for Henry I Beauclerc Of Angevin ENGLAND, person ID 9CS3-646. (Reliability: 3).

    4. [S139] 'Debrett's Kings and Queens of England', Williamson, David Source Media Type: Book, page 43 (Reliability: 3).