The Norman Conquest
Early in his reign, he set out to
convince his subjects that he would not be as ruthless as his brother had been. He proved
himself an effective king. He maintained good order and kept his barons in check.
In 1101, Duke Robert of Normandy invaded England to claim the throne as the eldest of
William the Conqueror's sons. Henry made terms with him, and Robert renounced his claim
in return for a pension. Five years later, Henry invaded Normandy, and captured Robert at the
Battle of Tinchebrai. Normandy and England were reunited under one ruler.
Henry had two legitimate children, William and Matilda (also called Maud). William was
drowned in 1120 while crossing from Normandy to England in a vessel called the White Ship.
Matilda was married at the age of 11 to the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V. Henry V died in
1125. In 1127, the Empress Matilda, for whom Henry I was struggling to win recognition as
his heir, married Geoffrey, Count of Anjou
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