A Monarch A Month - Henry I

Hello all!

Over the course of the next four years I will be stitching Bothy Thread's Kings and Queens at the slow pace of one monarch per month.

We are now on month number 3 so here is monarch number 3:

Henry I from Kings and Queens by Bothy Threads
Started - 8th March 2019

Finished - 10th March 2019

Total stitching time - 4 hours 55 minutes

For those who also liked the little History lesson, here are a few facts about Henry I:

HENRY I
Preceded by William II (brother)
Succeeded by Stephen (nephew)
Lived c1068-1135 (birth date unknown)
Reigned 1100-1135
Married to Matilda 1100-1118 (died) and Adeliza 1121-1135
Fathered 2-4 legitimate and 20+ illegitimate children

Henry I became king following his bother's death in a hunting 'accident' in 1100.

Henry seemed to have been a fairly likeable King and was generally accepted by the English people.

He consolidated his power through the usual means of rewarding those loyal to him and punishing those not. But he also gained support and popularity by making his court 'cleaner' and less immoral than that of his brother, by backing religious reforms and seeking peace with the church, by imposing fairer taxes and judicial laws, and by forming a peaceful alliance with Scotland through his marriage to Edith (who later became Matilda) daughter of King Malcolm III of Scotland.

Just like William, Henry was the target of numerous rebellions from their eldest brother Robert who still saw himself as rightful King of England. Likewise, Robert's lands in Normandy were continually disputed by Henry who thought he should have them as well as England. Henry finally defeated Robert at the Battle of Tinchebray in 1106, imprisoning him until his death in 1134 and claiming 'guardianship' of Normandy.

Henry had a huge sexual appetite but his marriage to Matilda resulted in only two surviving legitimate children, Matilda and William. William drowned in the White Ship disaster of 1120 throwing the succession into doubt and prompting Henry to marry Adeliza in an attempt to father another legitimate son and heir. But their marriage remained childless.

Henry died in 1135, after feasting on lampreys, and was buried in Reading Abbey. He had named his daughter, Matilda, as his successor but his nephew Stephen, the son of his sister Adeliza, decided otherwise...

(Yes, there are lots of Williams, Matildas and Adelizas at this time. Hope you're not too confused!)

Take care,
Rachel x