Family tree Kempin Finken » Henry I of England (1068-1135)

Personal data Henry I of England 

• He was born September 1068.
• Title: Koning, van England
• He died on December 1, 1135, he was 67 years old.
• A child of Willem I de Normandie and Mathilde van Vlaanderen

Household of Henry I of England

He is married to Eadgyth of Scotland.

They got married.

Child(ren):

1. Matilda of England  1102-1167 

Notes about Henry I of England

HENRY of England, son of WILLIAM I "the Conqueror" King of England & his wife Mathilde de Flandre ([Selby, Yorkshire Sep 1068]-Château de Lyon-la-Forêt, near Rouen 1 Dec 1135, bur Reading Abbey, Berkshire[123]). Orderic Vitalis names “Rotbertum...et Ricardum, Willermum et Henricum” as the sons of “Willermus Normanniæ dux” and his wife “Mathildem Balduini ducis Flandrensium filiam, neptem...ex sorore Henrici regis Francorum”[124]. Guillaume of Jumièges records that Duke Guillaume and his wife “Balduinum Flandriæ comitem...filiam regali ex genere descendente...Mathilde” had “filios quatuor Robertum...Willelmum...Richardum...et Henricum”, adding that Henry succeeded his brothers “tam Regi, quam Duci”[125]. Orderic Vitalis records that “Mathildem conjugem suam” gave birth to “filium...Henricum” within one year of her coronation in May 1068[126]. Comte de Coutances: Orderic Vitalis records that “Henricus Clito Constantiniensis comes” visited England to request “terram matris suæ” from his brother King William II, dated to [1088][127]. Guillaume of Jumièges records that ”Henricus” reconquered “comitatum Constantiniensem”, which had been taken from him, with the help of “Richardi de Revers et Rogerii de Magna-villa...Hugo comes Cestrensis”[128]. Orderic Vitalis records that “Henricus clito” governed “Abrincas et Cæsarisburgum et Constantiam atque Guabreium” [Avranches, Cherbourg, Coutances, Gavray][129]. Seigneur de Domfront 1092: Orderic Vitalis records that “Henricus Guillelmi regis filius” captured “Danfrontem oppidum” in 1092[130]. He succeeded his brother 3 Aug 1100 as HENRY I “Beauclerc” King of England, taking prompt action to ensure his succession by taking control of the royal treasure at Winchester. Florence of Worcester records that "iunior frater suus Heinricus" succeeded King William II and was crowned "Non Aug" in Westminster Abbey[131]. Orderic Vitalis records that he was crowned at Westminster Abbey 5 Aug 1100[132]. He married the niece of the last Saxon claimant to the throne of England to appease the English. After consolidating his position in England, he crossed the Channel to subdue Normandy in 1105[133]. He defeated his brother Robert at Tinchebrai and declared himself Duke of Normandy 28 Sep 1106. Henry turned his attention to strengthening the position of the crown in the newly united country, creating the Exchequer to improve control over finances, and ensuring that his own supporters filled the potentially powerful positions of county sheriffs. However, tensions increased with the barons, setting the scene for the civil war which followed Henry's death, his male heir having drowned in the White Ship disaster in 1120. The Chronicæ Sancti Albini records the death "1135 III Non Dec" of "Henricus rex Angliæ"[134]. The Continuator of Florence of Worcester records the death "IV Non Dec" in [1135] and his burial at Reading[135]. The necrology of the abbey of Saint-Denis records the death "IV Non Dec" of "Henricus rex Anglorum"[136]. William of Newburgh records the burial of King Henry I "apud Radingam in monasterio"[137].

m firstly (Westminster Abbey 11 Nov 1100) EADGYTH of Scotland, daughter of MALCOLM III "Caennmor/Bighead" King of Scotland & his wife Margaret of England (1079-Palace of Westminster 1 May 1118, bur Westminster Abbey[138]). Orderic Vitalis records that their mother sent Eadgyth and her sister Mary to be brought up by her sister Christina, nun at Romsey Abbey[139]. Florence of Worcester records the marriage of King Henry and "regis Scottorum Malcolmi et Margaretæ reginæ filiam Mahtildem" and her coronation as queen in a passage dealing with events in late 1100[140]. She adopted the name MATILDA on her marriage. Orderic Vitalis records that King Henry I married “Mathildem quæ prius dicta est Edith”[141]. Crowned Queen Consort 11 or 14 Nov 1100. The necrology of the abbey of Saint-Denis records the death "Kal Mai" of "Matildis Anglorum regina"[142]. The Continuator of Florence of Worcester records the death "Kal Mai" at Westminster of "Mahthildis regina Anglorum", and her burial at Westminster Abbey[143].

m secondly (Royal Chapel, Windsor Castle 29 Jan or 2 Feb 1121) ADELISA de Louvain, daughter of GODEFROI V "le Barbu" Duke of Lower Lotharingia, Comte de Louvain & his first wife Ida de Chiny Ctss de Namur ([1103/06]-Afflighem Abbey 23/24 Mar or 23 Apr 1151, bur Afflighem Abbey). The Continuator of Florence of Worcester records the marriage "IV Kal Feb" [1121] of King Henry and "Atheleidem filiam Godefridi ducis Lotharingæ puellam virginem" and her coronation as queen "III Kal Feb"[144]. Orderic Vitalis names her and her father[145]. William of Newburgh records the second marriage of King Henry I and "filiam ducis Lotharingie", noting that the marriage was childless[146]. The Genealogia Ducum Brabantiæ Heredum Franciæ names (in order) "Alaida…Anglorum regina…comitissa de Cleves Ida…[et] Clarissia virgo" as the three daughters of "Godefridus Cum-barba"[147]. The Balduini Ninovensis Chronicon records the marriage of "Henricus rex Anglorum" and "Athelam filiam Godefridi ducis Lotharingie" in 1121[148]. She was crowned Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey 30 Jan or 3 Feb 1121. The Continuatio Chronici Afflegemiensis records that “Godefridus cum barba Dux Lotharingiæ…filia…Aleidis” married “Regi Angliæ” in 1121[149]. The castle and honour of Arundel was settled on Queen Adelisa after her first husband died. She married secondly ([1136/Sep 1139]) William d’Aubigny [de Albini], who was created Earl of Arundel soon after his marriage. Robert of Torigny records that "Willermi de Albinaio quem vocant comitem de Arundel" married "Aelizam reginam relictam Henrici senioris regis Anglorum"[150]. Adelisa became a nun at Affleghem Abbey, near Aalst in Brabant in 1149/50. The Annals of Margan record the death in 1151 of “Adelidis, regina secunda Henrici regis”[151]. The Continuatio Chronici Afflegemiensis records that “Godefridus cum barba Dux Lotharingiæ…filia…Aleidis” died “IX Kal Mai” and was buried at Afflighem after the death of her second husband[152]. The necrology of Lyre monastery records the death "25 Mar" of "Adelicia regina"[153].

Mistress (1): ---, a woman from Caen. The name of King Henry's first mistress is not known. Her origin is assumed because her son is styled "Robertus de Cadomo" by Orderic Vitalis. A possible family connection of hers is suggested by the undated charter, arranged with charters dated 1127/28 in the compilation, under which Henry I King of England confirmed an exchange of property between the abbot of Fécamp and "Nigello filio Willelmi, nepote Roberti comitis Gloecestrie filii mei", "Nigellus" donating property "in villa Fiscanni habuit et avus et pater eius"[154]. The wording of the document is incompatible with "Willelmi" being another son of King Henry I. The relationship with Robert Earl of Gloucester must presumably therefore be established through Robert’s mother. The alternatives appear to be that William, father of Nigel, was the son of Robert’s mother by a later marriage (and therefore uterine half-brother of Earl Robert), that William’s wife was her daughter by a later marriage (uterine half-sister of Earl Robert), or that the word nepos denotes a more remote blood relationship and that Nigel was the first or second cousin of Earl Robert. Another family connection of Earl Robert is indicated by the continuator of Florence of Worcester (John of Worcester) who records that King Stephen marched on Bristol where "quendam comitis [Robert Earl of Gloucester from the context] cognatum, Philippum Gai” had fomented rebellion (dated to 1139)[155]. Crouch translates “cognatus” as “cousin” and suggests that Robert of Gloucester’s mother was therefore related to the Gay family[156]. However, the difficulty with his argument is the number of different family relationships, including by marriage, which could be indicated by the term “cognatus”[157]. Another relative of Robert Earl of Gloucester was Christiana, who married, as his first wife, William FitzAlan. Orderic Vitalis records that "William fitz Alan castellan and vicecomes of Shrewsbury" married "a niece of Robert Earl of Gloucester"[158]. "William Fitz Alan" donated the fishery of Upton-upon-Severn to Haughmond abbey by undated charter, witnessed by "Walter his brother, Christiana his wife…"[159].

Mistress (2): EDITH, daughter of ---. The 1130 Pipe Roll records "Walterus de tribus Minetis" holding land of "Edith matris comitisse de Ptico" in Devonshire[160].

Mistress (3): ANSFRIDE, widow of ANSKILL, daughter of --- (-bur Abingdon Abbey). The Chronicle of Abingdon names "Anskillus" and "uxore Anskilli iam defuncti…filio eius…Willelmo" adding that "fratrem regis Henricum" was father of her son "Ricardum", in a later passage naming her "Ansfrida" when recording her death and the donation of the mill at Langford by "Willelmus filius eiusdem…de Anskillo marito suo" for her burial at Abingdon[161]. Her husband was a knight, tenant of Abingdon Abbey, who died following a few days of harsh treatment after being imprisoned by King William II.

[Mistress (4): ---. The Complete Peerage suggests that the mother of Sibyl Queen of Scotland was Sibyl Corbet[162], who is shown below as Mistress (5). As explained more fully below under her daughter Queen Sibyl, this suggestion is not ideal from a chronological point of view. In summary, Sibyl Corbet’s son, Renaud Earl of Cornwall, was probably not born before [1110] considering that his marriage is dated to [1141]. If that is correct, the only way in which he could have had the same mother as the queen of Scotland would be if the latter was a young girl at the time of her marriage. In addition, the birth of Herbert FitzHerbert, son of Sibyl Corbet by her marriage, is estimated to [1125/35] (see the document UNTITLED ENGLISH NOBILITY D-K), which appears incompatible with Sibyl also having been the mother of Queen Sibyl. On the other hand, "Robert Corbet" witnessed charters in Scotland which are dated to the reign of King Alexander and the early years of the reign of his brother King David (see UNTITLED ENGLISH NOBILITY A-C). If Robert Corbet had been Queen Sibyl’s maternal grandfather or her maternal uncle, this could account for his presence at the Scottish court at the time.]

Mistress (5): SIBYL Corbet, daughter of ROBERT Corbet of Alcester, co Warwick & his [first] wife --- ([1090/95]-after 1157). The Complete Peerage deduces her parentage, relationship with King Henry, and her marriage from a charter, dated to [1163/75], under which her son "Reginaldus, Henrici Regis filius, comes Cornubiæ" granted property to "Willielmo de Boterell, filio Aliziæ Corbet, materteræ meæ" which he had granted to "Willielmo de Boterells in Cornubia, patri…predicti Willielmi" on his marriage, witnessed by "Nicholao filio meo…Herberto filio Herberti, Baldwino et Ricardo nepotibus meis, Willelmo de Vernun, Willielmo fratre meo…Hugone de Dunstanvill…"[163]. She married ([1115/25]) Herbert FitzHerbert. The [1125/35] birth date range estimated for her son Herbert, born from this marriage, indicates that she married after her relationship with the king. The Pipe Roll of 1157 records a payment to "the mother of Earl Reginald" from an estate at Mienes, Sussex[164].

Mistress (6): EDITH, daughter of ---. Symeon of Durham names "Rodberto filio Edæ et Henrici regis notho"[165]. The Complete Peerage identifies her as the probable daughter of Forn Sigurdson Lord of Greystoke, Cumberland[166]. If this is correct, she married Robert de Oilly of Hook Norton, constable of Oxford Castle, son of Nigel [III] de Oilly of Hook Norton, Oxfordshire & his wife Agnes --- (-1142). The suggestion is presumably based on the undated charter under which “Robertus Henrici regis filius” donated property to Oseney Abbey, Oxfordshire, with the consent of "Henrici de Oleio fratris mei”[167]. However, “Editha, Roberto de Oilly conjugali copula juncta” donated property to Thame Abbey, for the souls of “Henrici et Gilberti filiorum meorum”, by undated charter witnessed by “Fulco de Oilly, Fulco Luval, Henrico filio Roberti filii Aumari”[168]. If Edith, wife of Robert de Oilly, was the same person as the mother of King Henry’s son Robert, it is unclear why she would not have named her son Robert in this charter.

Mistresses (7) - (12): ---. The names of these mistresses of King Henry are not known.

Mistress (13): NESTA of South Wales, wife of GERALD FitzWalter of Windsor custodian of Pembroke Castle, daughter of RHYS ap Tewdwr Prince of South Wales & his wife Gwladus ---. Giraldus Cambrensis names "Henricus…regi Henrici primi filius…ex nobili Nesta, Resi filii Theodori filia" in South Wales[169]. She was abducted by Owain son of Cadwgan ap Bleddyn from castle Ceanrth Bychan in 1109.

Mistresses (14): ---. The name of this mistress of King Henry is not known.

Mistress (15): ISABELLE de Beaumont, daughter of ROBERT de Beaumont Comte de Meulan, Earl of Leicester & his wife Isabelle de Vermandois ([1102/07]-). Guillaume de Jumièges records one illegitimate daughter of King Henry I as daughter of "Elizabeth sorore Waleranni comitis Mellenti"[170]. She married Gilbert FitzGilbert de Clare Earl of Pembroke. Guillaume de Jumièges records that "Giselbertus filius Gisleberti" married “sororem Waleranni comitis Mellenti...Elizabeth” by whom he had “filium primogenitum...Richardum”[171]. Henry II King of England confirmed the donations to the nuns of Saint-Saens by "Isabel comitissa qui fuit uxor Gilleberti comitis" by charter dated to [1172/1182][172].

King Henry I & his first wife had [three] children:
daughter (Winchester Jul/Aug 1101-died young).
MATILDA (Winchester or London 1102-Abbaye de Notre-Dame des Près, near Rouen 10 Sep 1167, bur Abbaye du Bec, Normandy, later moved to Rouen Cathedral).
WILLIAM (Winchester 5 Aug 1103-drowned off Barfleur, Normandy 25 Nov 1120).

King Henry I had illegitimate sons and daughter

Bronnen

[123] Orderic Vitalis, Vol. VI, Book XIII, pp. 449-51.

[124] Orderic Vitalis (Prévost), Vol. II, Liber III, VI, p. 92.

[125] Willelmi Gemmetencis Historiæ (Du Chesne, 1619), Liber VII, XXI, p. 277.

[126] Orderic Vitalis (Prévost), Vol. II, Liber IV, IV, p. 182.

[127] Orderic Vitalis (Prévost), Vol. III, Liber VIII, IV, p. 291.

[128] Willelmi Gemmetencis Historiæ (Du Chesne, 1619), Liber VIII, IV, p. 294.

[129] Orderic Vitalis (Prévost), Vol. III, Liber VIII, XV, p. 350.

[130] Orderic Vitalis (Prévost), Vol. III, Liber VIII, XIX, p. 384.

[131] Florentii Wigornensis Monachi Chronicon, p. 46.

[132] Orderic Vitalis, Vol. V, Book X, p. 295.

[133] Florence of Worcester, 1105, p. 213.

[134] Chronicæ sancti Albini Andegavensis, p. 34.

[135] Florentii Wigornensis Monachi Chronicon, Continuatio, p. 95.

[136] Obituaires de Sens Tome I.1, Abbaye de Saint-Denis, p. 332.

[137] William of Newburgh, I.III, p. 30.

[138] Florence of Worcester (Continuation), 1118, p. 229.

[139] Orderic Vitalis, Vol. IV, Book VIII, p. 273.

[140] Florentii Wigornensis Monachi Chronicon, p. 47.

[141] Orderic Vitalis (Prévost), Vol. III, Liber VIII, XXII, p. 400.

[142] Obituaires de Sens Tome I.1, Abbaye de Saint-Denis, p. 316.

[143] Florentii Wigornensis Monachi Chronicon, Continuatio, p. 71.

[144] Florentii Wigornensis Monachi Chronicon, Continuatio, p. 75.

[145] Orderic Vitalis, Vol. VI, Book XII, p. 309.

[146] William of Newburgh I.III, p. 29.

[147] Genealogia Ducum Brabantiæ Heredum Franciæ 6, MGH SS XXV, p. 390.

[148] Balduini Ninovensis Chronicon 1121, MGH SS XXV, p. 527.

[149] Continuatio Chronici Afflegemiensis, Spicilegium II, p. 777.

[150] Robert de Torigny, Vol. II, p. 19.

[151] Annales de Margan, p. 14.

[152] Continuatio Chronici Afflegemiensis, Spicilegium II, p. 777.

[153] RHGF XXIII, Ex Obituario Lirensis monasterii, p. 471.

[154] Regesta Regem Anglo-Normannorum, Vol. II, Appendix, CCXI, p. 362.

[155] Florentii Wigornensis Monachi Chronicon, Tome II, p. 109.

[156] Crouch, D. ‘Robert of Gloucester’s Mother and Sexual Politics in Norman Oxfordshire’, Historical Research, Vol. 72, Issue 179 (Institute of Historical Research, Oct 1999), Notes and Documents, p. 324, available at <https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1468-2281.00087> (19 Nov 2023). Information sent by Thierry Le Hète by email 20 Aug 2023.

[157] Cawley, C. ‘Was my aunt her grandmother’s niece? A guide to relationship terms in medieval Latin’, Foundations, Vol. 7 (2015), pp. 35-7.

[158] Eyton (1858), Vol. VII, p. 233.

[159] Eyton (1858), Vol. VII, p. 285, citing Haughmond Chartulary, fo. 168, Tit. Preston.

[160] Pipe Roll 31 Hen I (1129/30), Devonshire, p. 155.

[161] Chronicon Monasterii de Abingdon, Vol. II, pp. 37 and 122.

[162] CP XI Appendix D, p. 118.

[163] CP XI Appendix D, p. 108 footnote a citing Cartæ Antiquæ, P. R. S., no. 38, the charter quoted in full in Eyton, R. W. (1858) Antiquities of Shropshire (London), Vol. VII, p. 157.

[164] Eyton (1858), Vol. VII, p. 146.

[165] Simeon of Durham, Vol. II, p. 310, quoted in CP XI Appendix D, p. 108 footnote f.

[166] CP XI Appendix D, p. 108.

[167] Dugdale Monasticon VI, Oseney Abbey, Oxfordshire, VI, p. 253.

[168] Dugdale Monasticon V, Thame Abbey, Oxfordshire, III, p. 404.

[169] Giraldus Cambrensis, Itinerarium Kambriæ, Rolls Series, p. 130, quoted in CP XI Appendix D, p. 110 footnote a.

[170] Willelmi Gemmetencis Historiæ (Du Chesne, 1619), Liber VIII, XXIX, p. 307.

[171] Willelmi Gemmetencis Historiæ (Du Chesne, 1619), Liber VIII, XXXVII, p. 312.

[172] Actes Henri II, Tome II, DLXXVI, p. 161.

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Timeline Henry I of England

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