Henry I (b. 1068 or 1069) was king of England from 1100 until his death in 1135. Henry was the youngest son of William the Conqueror (1028-1087), but managed to succeed to the throne when his older brother, William II (William Rufus) was killed by an arrow in a hunting accident, and their other living brother Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy, was still away, having gone on the First Crusade (1096-1099).After returning from the Holy Land, Robert Curthose challenged Henrys claim to the throne and invaded England in 1101, but Henry was able to repel Roberts army. In 1105, Henry launched a counter-invasion of Normandy, and in 1106 decisively defeated and captured Robert at the Battle of Tinchebray. Henry seized control of Normandy and reunited his fathers lands.Although Henry fathered numerous illegitimate children, he had only one legitimate son: William Adelin. Williams unfortunate death in a ship-wreck in 1120 laid the ground-work for a succession crisis which was to ensue following Henrys death, in the period known as The Anarchy. The crown would be fought over between Henrys daughter Matilda, and Stephen, Henrys nephew by his sister Adela. The conflict would last from 1135 until 1154, when Henry II (Matildas son and Henrys grandson) succeeded to the throne. Show less «