Page:History of the Kings & Queens of England.pdf/4

 4

HENRY I.

Born 1068. Began to Reign August 5,1100. Died Decem. 2,1135. Reigned 35 Years.

Surnamed Beauclerc, or the fine scholar, from his literary talents, was younger brother to Rufus. On the death of Rufus he violently usurped the crown, to which Robert, Duke of Normandy, had undoubted claims. Having secured the royal treasures, in order to second his aims, he united the long breach betwixt the Saxon and Norman interests, by marrying Matilda, the niece of Edgar Atheling. Henry died in the sixty-seventh year of his age, at St. Denis, near Normandy, of fever, caused by eating lampreys to excess. He was cool, cautious, politic, and penetrating ; of great courage, and invincible fortitudo; an excellent companion, and true friend ; not free from that scorn for the English which all his race acquired by their Norman descent and connexions.

Eminent men in this reign :-Randulph, Archbishop of Canterbury : Robert, Earl of Shrewsbury.