Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index

• Quick Search
• Advanced Search
• Article of the Month
• Translation of the Month
• Image of the Month
• Special Features

Record Number: 5205 Author(s)/Creator(s): Contributor(s): Title: Affairs of State: The Illegitimate Children of Henry I [Appendix A lists and comments on the twenty-five illegitimate children acknowledged by Henry I]. Source: Journal of Medieval History 29, 2 (June 2003): Pages 129 - 151. Description: Article Type: Journal Article Subject (See Also): Children Concubines Family Henry I, King of England Illegitimacy Kings Politics Sexuality Award Note: Geographic Area: British Isles Century: 11-12 Primary Evidence: Illustrations: Table: Two tables. Table One The family of Robert of Gloucester. Table Two Reconstruction of the Dunstanville family including Sibyl, who bore King Henry a son, Reginald, Earl of Cornwall. Abstract: The use of illegitimate children to further political designs was not unusual among medieval kings, but the number of Henry I of England's offspring was remarkable, even by contemporary standards. There is no indication that he chose his partners from the diverse racial groups within the Anglo-Norman realm as a political gesture and they were mostly taken from the same social grouping that provided his 'new men'. Henry's peripatetic lifestyle made the maintenance of multiple partnerships and families possible and there are signs of family solidarity among his children. Some amendments to, and new interpretations of, the Complete Peerage list of Henry's children are given. Related Resources: Author's Affiliation: Conference Info: - , - Year of Publication: 2003. Language: English ISSN/ISBN: 03044181

Feminae: Medieval Women and Gender Index ©2014. Hosted by The University of Iowa Libraries.