Henry I by Hollister C. Warren Frost Amanda Clark

Author:Hollister, C. Warren,Frost, Amanda Clark.
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780300098297
Publisher: Yale University Press

Chapter 7

THE LAST BATTLES

In various ways the calamity of the White Ship cast its shadow into the future. Much of Henry I's political activity during the years that followed was shaped, directly or indirectly, by that single disaster. The death of William Adelin made it vital that the king remarry and produce another son. For as matters now stood, William Clito was the most plausible heir to Henry's throne, and Henry had fought long and determinedly to thwart his succession. On Epiphany (6 January) 1121, having taken counsel with a large assemblage of his prelates and barons at London, Henry announced that he would marry Adeliza, daughter of Godfrey VII “the Bearded,” count of Louvain and duke of Lower Lorraine.1 Negotiations for the marriage may have commenced before the White Ship disaster; if so, William Adelin's death would have intensified the urgency of the marriage and probably hastened it. From London Henry dispatched a delegation to Dover to meet Adeliza and escort her to Windsor, his favorite castle, where, on Friday 29 January, they were married in an imposing ceremony before a great crowd of Anglo-Norman notables.2

The festivities were marred by an embarrassing dispute regarding the primatial rights of Archbishop Ralph d'Escures. In earlier, happier times the archbishop of Canterbury had been described as witty and genial, but by now, having suffered a protracted illness and a long and luckless conflict with York, he had become decidedly querulous. Although prevented by a speech impediment from performing the wedding ceremony, Ralph was too proud and stubborn to relinquish his traditional right to do so. Roger of Salisbury, as diocesan bishop, claimed the privilege of acting in his place, but Ralph insisted on choosing his own deputy and appointed William Giffard bishop of Winchester to do the honors.

Having won his point, Ralph next had an altercation with Henry I. The king had placed the royal crown on his own head before entering the hall the following day—either absent-mindedly or in deference to Ralph's illness. The archbishop was enraged and demanded that the crown be removed immediately. Since Henry had no objection (and doubtless wished to avoid a scene), he complied with good cheer. Ralph took the crown and then grudgingly placed it back on Henry's head himself. The archbishop then exercised his right of personally consecrating and crowning the new queen.3

Several sources agree that Adeliza was a beautiful woman and that Henry was drawn to her for that reason.4 She had the further advantage of being the daughter of a major prince whose dominions were strategically situated between Flanders and north-western Germany. Moreover, she was a young woman (puella) in her early child-bearing years, and as a descendant of Charlemagne in the male line she was of sufficient nobility to be a fitting consort for a king. She brought no land to the marriage, but neither had Edith-Matilda—and land was not one of Henry's pressing needs at the moment. Adeliza was nubile, intelligent, good-natured, and fond of her royal husband. She is

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