Henry I reigned as the king of England from 1100 to 1135 CE. The son of William the Conqueror (r. 1066-1087 CE), Henry succeeded his brother William II of England (r. 1087-1100 CE) after he had died in a hunting accident and left no heir. A third brother, Robert Curthose (l. c. 1052 - c. 1135 CE), Duke of Normandy, was also ambitious for the throne, and the two battled to unify their two territories as their father had done. Henry took final victory in 1106 CE and imprisoned Robert for the rest of his life. Henry then enjoyed a long and largely peaceful reign, which saw the creation of such innovations as the Exchequer and travelling judges to apply the king's law everywhere. Without an heir, Henry was succeeded by his nephew Stephen, Count of Blois (l. c. 1096-1154 CE).
More about: Henry I of EnglandDefinition
Timeline
-
Sep 1068Henry I of England is born in Selby, Yorkshire.
-
1100 - 1135Reign of Henry I of England.
-
6 Aug 1100Henry I of England is crowned in Westminster Abbey.
-
Nov 1100Henry I of England marries Matilda (Edith) who becomes Queen of England.
-
Jul 1101Henry I of England negotiates a peace deal with his brother Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy.
-
1102Matilda (aka Empress Matilda), daughter of Henry I of England, is born. With no male heir, the king nominates her as his successor.
-
1106Henry I of England sends an army to invade Normandy.
-
Sep 1106Henry I of England defeats his brother Robert Curthose in a pitched battle at Tinchebrai in Normandy.
-
1109First recorded meeting of the Exchequer, an accounting body created to monitor the English king's finances and debtors.
-
1114Alexander I of Scotland leads an army to assist Henry I of England in his campaigns in Wales.
-
1120William, the heir of Henry I of England, and his younger brother Richard drown in the English Channel when onboard the ill-fated White Ship.
-
1121Henry I of England marries his second wife Adeliza.
-
1127Rochester Castle is granted to the bishops of Rochester in perpetuity by Henry I of England.
-
1 Dec 1135Henry I of England dies of natural causes at Saint Denis-le-Fermont in Rouen, Normandy.
-
26 Dec 1135Stephen of Blois is crowned king of England in Westminster Abbey.
