Henry I’s accession and consolidation (1100–1107) transformed England’s political order through swift action, calculated concessions, and strategic suppression of rivals.

Background to Accession

When William II ‘Rufus’ died unexpectedly in the New Forest on 2 August 1100, the throne was theoretically open to rival claims, particularly from Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy. As the younger son of William the Conqueror, Henry acted with unprecedented speed to secure power before Robert’s return from crusade. The urgency stemmed from the volatile nature of succession in the Anglo-Norman realm, where legitimacy and force often intertwined.

Immediate Actions after William II’s Death

Henry moved swiftly to Winchester, gaining control of:

• The royal treasury, ensuring financial resources to reward followers.

• The crown, enabling an immediate coronation before opponents could rally.

He was crowned Henry I at Westminster Abbey on 5 August 1100, consolidating his claim through the symbolic authority of the Church.

The Coronation Charter (Charter of Liberties)

One of Henry’s most significant initial moves was issuing the Coronation Charter, designed to win noble and ecclesiastical support by promising reform.

Key provisions included:

• Ending unjust exactions from the Church and nobles.

• Restoring certain feudal customs to their pre-Rufus state.

• Promising fair legal process for barons.

• Reducing excessive reliefs (inheritance payments) and abuses of feudal rights.

This charter was as much a propaganda tool as a binding legal guarantee, helping Henry distance himself from Rufus’s unpopular rule.

Strategic Marriage to Edith/Matilda

In November 1100, Henry married Edith of Scotland, later known as Matilda, daughter of King Malcolm III and Saint Margaret of Scotland.

Political benefits of this marriage:

• Secured alliances with the Scottish royal house.

• Appealed to the Anglo-Saxon populace by linking Henry to the line of Edward the Confessor.

• Strengthened legitimacy through Matilda’s piety and royal lineage.

This marriage blended Norman and Anglo-Saxon interests, reinforcing Henry’s image as a unifying monarch.

Dealing with Robert Curthose

The greatest threat to Henry’s position came from his elder brother Robert Curthose, who returned from the First Crusade in 1101 and contested Henry’s claim.

The 1101 Invasion and Treaty of Alton

Robert landed in England with forces, prompting a tense standoff. Instead of prolonged conflict, both sides agreed to the Treaty of Alton:

• Robert renounced his claim to the English throne.

• Henry paid Robert an annual pension of 3,000 marks.

• Each recognised the other’s possession of England and Normandy respectively.

While the treaty averted immediate war, it left unresolved tensions between the brothers.

Consolidation of Royal Authority

From 1101 to 1107, Henry focused on strengthening control over barons and Church while preparing for future conflicts with Robert.

Suppression of Noble Opposition

Some barons, unhappy with Henry’s reforms and in sympathy with Robert, rebelled in 1101–1102. Notably, Robert of Bellême, Earl of Shrewsbury, was accused of multiple crimes against the king. Henry moved decisively:

• Charged Robert of Bellême with 45 offences, leading to confiscation of his lands.

• Used legal authority rather than outright battle to disarm opponents, reinforcing the image of lawful kingship.

Church Relations and Anselm’s Return

Henry restored Archbishop Anselm to Canterbury in 1100 after his exile under Rufus, projecting harmony with the Church. However, disputes over lay investiture soon emerged.

Investiture Controversy:

• Pope Paschal II opposed secular rulers investing bishops.

• Henry insisted on maintaining royal influence over appointments.

• Resolution came in 1107 through compromise: the king renounced investing bishops with the ring and staff, but retained the right to receive homage before consecration.

Woodcut of a medieval ruler investing a bishop with ring and staff, the core issue resolved in England in 1107. While this image illustrates the general European practice (not a specific English scene), it precisely matches the ritual elements described in the notes. Source

The 1106 Campaign and Normandy

Though outside the 1100–1107 timeframe’s start, events culminated in Henry’s decisive move to challenge Robert in Normandy. The key moment was the Battle of Tinchebray (1106), where Henry defeated and captured Robert, uniting England and Normandy under one ruler.

Robert Curthose is seized after Tinchebray (1106), signalling Henry I’s consolidation of power across the Channel. Though a 19th-century illustration, it accurately highlights the battle’s decisive outcome—Robert’s capture, with the clerk Baudri named as the captor. Source

Consequences:

• Robert imprisoned for life.

• Norman barons brought under tighter control.

• Anglo-Norman realm stabilised under Henry’s leadership.

Governance and Administration Reforms

Henry’s early reign saw measures to professionalise government:

• Expanded use of itinerant justices to enforce royal law across shires.

• Improved Exchequer systems for royal finance.

• Strengthened shire administration through loyal sheriffs.

These reforms reflected Henry’s reputation as a ruler who valued order, efficiency, and law, contrasting with the perceived disorder under Rufus.

Securing the Dynasty

Henry’s consolidation strategy also aimed at securing succession:

• Birth of his son William Adelin in 1103 bolstered dynastic stability.

• Cultivated loyalty among both Norman magnates and Anglo-Saxon elites.

Through rapid action in 1100, diplomatic treaties, strategic marriage, and decisive suppression of rivals, Henry I established a strong foundation for his long reign, fulfilling the OCR specification focus on him as the beneficiary of William’s death and a skilled consolidator of power.