(fourth son of william I of england)
succeeded his elder brother william II in 1100
defeated his eldest brother robert curthose to become duke of normandy in 1106
he was called “beauclere” for his scholarly interests
he was called “lion of justice” for refinements which he brought about in the administration and legislative machinery of his time
reign was noted for his political opportunism. his succession was confirmed while his brother robert was away on the first crusade. the beginning of his reign was occupied by wars with robert for control of england and normandy. he successfully reunited the two realms again after their separation on his father’s death in 1087. upon his succession he granted the baronage a “charter of liberties”, which formed a basis for subsequent challenges to rights of kings and presaged the “magna carta” (which subjected the king to law).
the rest of henry’s reign was filled with judicial and financial reforms. he established the biannual “exchequer” to reform the treasury. he used itinerant officials to curb abuses of power at the local and regional level, garnering the praise of the people. the differences between the english people and the norman people began to break down during his reign and he married a daughter of the old english royal house. he made peace with the church after the disputes of his brother’s reign, but he could not smooth out his succession after the disastrous loss of his eldest son in the wreck of the “white ship”.
(his will stipulated that he was to be succeeded by his daughter, the “empress matilda” but his stern rule was followed by a period of civil wars known as the “anarchy”)