Henry I (1100-1135)

Known as "Beauclerc". Henry was the third surviving son of William I. He succeeded his brother in England in 1100 and defeated his older brother Robert to become Duke of Normandy in 1106. He was called Beauclerc for his scholarly interests and also "the Lion of Justice" for the refinements he brought about in the rudimentary administrative and legislative machinary of the time.

Henry's reign is noted for its political opportunism. His succession was confirmed while his brother Robert was away on the First Crusade and 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 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 and Norman populations began to break down during his reign and he himself 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 legitimate son William in the wreck of the White Ship. His will stipulated that he was to be succeeded by his daughter, Matilda, but his stern rule was followed by a period of civil war known as the Anarchy.