CHAPTER XV.

THE REIGN OF HENRY I.

Accession of Henry I.--Robert's Delay in Italy--The Charter of Liberties--Henry's Popularity--Offers his Hand to Matilda--Her Lineage--Obstacles to the Marriage--The Church decides in Favour of it--London at this Period--Coronation of Matilda--Roger of Salisbury--The Marriage--Punishment of William's Favourites--Arrival of Robert in Normandy--Prepares to Attack Henry--Anselm's Services to Henry--Peace effected between the Brothers--Henry's Dispute with Anselm--Strange Policy of the Pope--The Dispute Settled--Death of Anselm--The Earl of Shrewsbury Outlawed--Visit of Robert to England--Campaigns in Normandy--Robert and Edgar Atheling taken Prisoners--Fate of Edgar--Captivity and Death of Robert--Normandy in Possession of Henry--The English King and his Nephew--Return of the King to England--Betrothal of Henry's Daughter Matilda to the Emperor of Germany--War with the Welsh--Death of the Queen--Renewed War in Normandy--Henry before the Council of Rheims--Battle of Brenneville--Treaty of Peace--Shipwreck and Death of the King's Son--Henry's Grief--Character of Prince William--More Trouble in Normandy--The Empress Matilda declared Successor to the Throne--Her Marriage with the Count of Anjou--Death of William of Normandy--Last Years of the King's Life--Death of Henry 152