King Henry

Also known as: Henry · Family: unknown · Role: son of William · First appears: A.D. 1083–1086

In 1086, William of Normandy dubbed Henry a knight at Westminster, and in 1087 bequeathed him immense treasure. By 1095 Henry was fighting his brother Robert of Normandy in Normandy on the king’s behalf, harming him in land and men. In 1104, after Robert and Robert of Belesme were reconciled, Henry and Robert of Normandy became adversaries; Henry campaigned against his brother in 1105, taking Caen, Baieux and much of Normandy. They parted in hostility in 1106 over lands Henry had taken, and at Tenerchebrai Henry defeated Robert’s forces, captured him and other leaders, and took Edgar Etheling prisoner, later releasing him unpunished.

In 1110, after Earl Elias died holding Maine in fee from Henry, the Earl of Anjou succeeded to Maine and held it against him. Henry drove Earl of Evreux and William Crispin from Normandy in 1112, imprisoned Robert of Belesme, and restored Philip of Braiose’s land. In 1114, the Welsh made peace with him; in 1115, the leading men of Normandy swore fealty to his son William son of King Henry. Henry assisted his nephew Theobald de Blois in his war against Louis in 1116. In 1119, Henry’s forces put the King of France to flight, while Henry barred Archbishop Turstin of York from returning to England; through the pope, Turstin was later reconciled with Henry and recovered his bishopric. Henry and Louis were reconciled in 1120.

Henry married Maud in 1100, and in 1121 Athelis was given to him as his wife. In 1120 his sons William and Richard son of King Henry drowned. In 1127, Henry had the leading men swear that England and Normandy would pass to his daughter Athelicia after his death, and arranged her marriage to Geoffry Martel. At Christmas that year he received Henry of Poitou, his relation, the abbacy of Peterborough; in 1129 he appointed his nephew Henry of Glastonbury to a bishopric. That year Henry restored Waleram’s lands except his castle, and the two became friends after their earlier enmity. In 1132, Henry made Henry of Angeli surrender the abbey of Peterborough and leave the land, then gave the abbacy to Martin. Henry died in Normandy in 1135; his sons and friends brought his body to England and buried him at Reading.