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Henry I (Beauclerc)

 
Henry I and his queen Matilda.
From the W front of Rochester Cathedral.
From The Monumental Effigies of Great Britain by Thomas Hollis and George Hollis, part 1, 1840.
See copy published in A Student's History of England by Samuel Rawson Gardiner (1916). See here.

Henry I (Beauclerc) (see here).
He had a large number of affairs before and during his marriage, and much illegitimate issue.
He reigned 1100-35.
He mar 1100 to Matilda of Scotland [descendant of Edmund II (Ironside) and of Charlemagne].
She died 1118.
She was bur Chapel of Edward the Confessor, Westminster Abbey (grave not marked).
He died 1135.
He was bur Reading Abbey (now a ruin). There is no trace of his tomb. There is an ongoing search for his grave at Reading.
Henry I had issue by his wife Matilda:

1. Matilda the Empress.
   She mar 1stly, 1114, to Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor. No surviving issue.
   He died 1125.
   She mar 2ndly, 1128, to Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou and had issue.

Henry I had many affairs with many women, and many illegitimate children.
He had by one of his mistresses illegitimate issue:

1. Robert, Earl of Gloucester.
   Created Earl of Gloucester 1121.
   He was a major military leader. He controlled Bristol.
   He founded St James' Priory, Bristol, between 1124 and 1137.
   He built the keep of Bristol Castle, starting in 1130.
   His father died 1135, leaving no legitimate son. Robert supported the claim of his half-sister Matilda to the throne.
   He died 1147.
   An effigy at St James' Priory was thought for a long time to be him. But recent thinking says it is not him.
   He had issue:
   1. Maud of Gloucester,
      mar Ranulf de Gernon, 4th Earl of Chester,
      had issue:
      1. Hugh de Kevilioc, 5th Earl of Chester,
         had issue:
         1. Matilda of Chester, mar David, Earl of Huntingdon and had issue.

         2. Agnes of Chester, mar 1192 to William de Ferrers, 4th Earl of Derby and had issue.

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Effigy in St James' Priory, Bristol

An effigy at St James' Priory, Bristol, was thought for a long time to be Robert, Earl of Gloucester (died 1147).
There is a 19th century plaque saying it is him.
But recent thinking says it is a 13th century merchant.
See newer notice in the church.

The effigy.
Photo 2019. See full size.
See closer and closer.

Drawing of the effigy of "Robert Consul, Earl of Gloucester".
From The Monumental Effigies of Great Britain by Thomas Hollis and George Hollis, part 3, 1840.