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Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, ruled from 1100 to 1135, a time of fundamental change in the Anglo-Norman world. This long-awaited biography, written by one of the most distinguished medievalists of his generation, offers a major reassessment of Henry's character and reign. Challenging the dark and dated portrait of the king as brutal, greedy, and repressive, it argues instead that Henry's rule was based on reason and order.C. Warren Hollister points out that Henry laid the show more foundations for judicial and financial institutions usually attributed to his grandson, Henry II. Royal government was centralized and systematized, leading to firm, stable, and peaceful rule for his subjects in both England and Normandy. By mid-reign Henry I was the most powerful king in Western Europe, and with astute diplomacy, an intelligence network, and strategic marriages of his children (legitimate and illegitimate), he was able to undermine the various coalitions mounted against him. Henry strove throughout his reign to solidify the Anglo-Norman dynasty, and his marriage linked the Normans to the Old English line.Hollister vividly describes Henry's life and reign, places them against the political background of the time, and provides analytical studies of the king and his magnates, the royal administration, and relations between king and church. The resulting volume is one that will be welcomed by students and general readers alike. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
This is easily one of the most enjoyable, well written academic histories I have ever read. C. Warren Hollister's treatment of Henry I is sympathetic, but not hagiographical. He manages to write even subjects I usually find boring (i.e., the monarch's relationship with the church) in an enthralling way.
Having said that, the parts of the book Hollister didn't write are pretty hard to get through: sadly, Hollister passed before the book was completed. He selected Amanda Clark Frost to finish Henry I based on his notes, and she unfortunately wasn't able to keep up the magic Hollister had going. When you get to the chapters on Henry's treatment of magnates, his governance and laws, and especially the chapter on his religious activities, show more there is a significant tone change and you can tell someone besides Hollister is writing. The chapter on the church is little more than a list of Henry's every recorded activity as it related to religion, and it's nearly 100 pages long. To be fair, Frost must have been in an almost impossible position, trying to finish a colleague's opus based only on a loose framework of notes. None the less, the book is difficult to finish and for that reason, I deducted 1/2 of a star.
Even with the disappointing later chapters, this is a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Henry I. Historians and amateurs (like myself) will enjoy. show less
Having said that, the parts of the book Hollister didn't write are pretty hard to get through: sadly, Hollister passed before the book was completed. He selected Amanda Clark Frost to finish Henry I based on his notes, and she unfortunately wasn't able to keep up the magic Hollister had going. When you get to the chapters on Henry's treatment of magnates, his governance and laws, and especially the chapter on his religious activities, show more there is a significant tone change and you can tell someone besides Hollister is writing. The chapter on the church is little more than a list of Henry's every recorded activity as it related to religion, and it's nearly 100 pages long. To be fair, Frost must have been in an almost impossible position, trying to finish a colleague's opus based only on a loose framework of notes. None the less, the book is difficult to finish and for that reason, I deducted 1/2 of a star.
Even with the disappointing later chapters, this is a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Henry I. Historians and amateurs (like myself) will enjoy. show less
Along with Green's biography, another solid tome on Henry I.
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Author Information
24+ Works 2,341 Members
C. Warren Hollister was professor of history, emeritus, at the University of California, Santa Barbara.
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Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Henry I
- Original publication date
- 2001
- People/Characters
- Henry I, King of England; Amaury III de Montfort; Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109); Brian fitz Count; Eadmer of Canterbury; Fulk V, Count of Anjou (show all 38); Louis VI, King of France; Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy; Henry of Huntington; Hugh of Avranches, Earl of Chester; Hugh de Boves, abbot of Reading; John of Worcester; Lanfranc of Canterbury (or L. of Bec, c. 1005-1089); Matilda II, wife of Henry I, king of England; Empress Maud (Matilda); Odo, Bishop of Bayeux; Orderic Vitalis; Paschal II, Pope; Peter the Venerable, abbot of Cluny; Ralph d'Escures, archbishop of Canterbury; Ranulf I, earl of Chester; Ranulf Flambard, bishop of Durham; Robert of Beaumont, count of Meulan; Robert of Bellême; Robert of Gloucester; Robert of Torigny; Roger, bishop of Salisbury; Stephen, King of England; Suger, abbot of Saint-Denis; Theobold IV, count of Blois; William of the White Ship; William Clito; William of Corbeil, archbishop of Canterbury; William, count of Evreux; William of Mortain, earl of Cornwall; William II of Warenne, Earl of Surrey; William II, King of England; William the Conqueror
- Important places
- Cirencester Abbey, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England, UK; Reading Abbey, Berkshire, England, UK; Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Normandy, France; Westminster Abbey, London, England, UK; Normandy, France; Winchester, Hampshire, England, UK
- Important events
- Battle of Tinchebray
- Dedication
- For Edith
- First words
- FOREWORD [by Jeffrey Burton Russell]
At last the definitive account of the reign of Henry I (1100-1135) appears in the English Monarchs series published by Yale University Press.
EDITOR'S PREFACE
Like Henry I, Warren Hollister died unexpectedly, in the prime of life and at the height of his powers, leaving his life's work unfinished.
Henry I, in the words of the old Chinese curse, lived in interesting times. - Blurbers
- Chibnall, Marjorie; Bisson, T. N.; Cazel Jr., Fred A.
Classifications
- Genres
- History, Nonfiction, Biography & Memoir, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 942.02 — History & geography History of Europe England and Wales England Norman 1066-1154
- LCC
- DA198 .H65 — History of Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania Great Britain History of Great Britain England History By period Early and medieval to 1485 Celts. Romans. Saxons. Danes. Normans
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 148
- Popularity
- 221,791
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.89)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 2
