1022-4 Henry (I, King of France 1031-1060)

Henry (I, King of France 1031-1060)

Henry was the son of the King of France Robert the Pious and Constance of Arles. As Henry's older brother had died, Henry became King of France when his father died in July of 1031. Henry ruled France from 1031 until his death in 1060. Henry's younger brother Robert, supported by their mother Constance, had designs on the French throne. This led to conflicts between the brothers but was resolved in 1034 when Henry gave Robert the title of Duke of Burgundy. Henry tried to take control of Normandy, the area to the north of his own lands that cut him off from the sea. Henry was defeated twice by William the Duke of Normandy who would later become William the Conqueror. Henry was defeated in 1054 at the battle of Mortemer and again in 1057 (or 1058) at Varaville.