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Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, ruled from 1100 to 1135, a time of fundamental change in the Anglo-Norman world. This long-awaited biography, written by one of the most distinguished medievalists of his generation, offers a major reassessment of Henry's character and reign. Challenging the dark and dated portrait of the king as brutal, greedy, and repressive, it argues instead that Henry's rule was based on reason and order.C. Warren Hollister points out that Henry laid the foundations for judicial and financial institutions usually attributed to his grandson, Henry II. Royal government was centralized and systematized, leading to firm, stable, and peaceful rule for his subjects in both England and Normandy. By mid-reign Henry I was the most powerful king in Western Europe, and with astute diplomacy, an intelligence network, and strategic marriages of his children (legitimate and illegitimate), he was able to undermine the various coalitions mounted against him. Henry strove throughout his reign to solidify the Anglo-Norman dynasty, and his marriage linked the Normans to the Old English line.Hollister vividly describes Henry's life and reign, places them against the political background of the time, and provides analytical studies of the king and his magnates, the royal administration, and relations between king and church. The resulting volume is one that will be welcomed by students and general readers alike.… (más)
This is easily one of the most enjoyable, well written academic histories I have ever read. C. Warren Hollister's treatment of Henry I is sympathetic, but not hagiographical. He manages to write even subjects I usually find boring (i.e., the monarch's relationship with the church) in an enthralling way.
Having said that, the parts of the book Hollister didn't write are pretty hard to get through: sadly, Hollister passed before the book was completed. He selected Amanda Clark Frost to finish Henry I based on his notes, and she unfortunately wasn't able to keep up the magic Hollister had going. When you get to the chapters on Henry's treatment of magnates, his governance and laws, and especially the chapter on his religious activities, there is a significant tone change and you can tell someone besides Hollister is writing. The chapter on the church is little more than a list of Henry's every recorded activity as it related to religion, and it's nearly 100 pages long. To be fair, Frost must have been in an almost impossible position, trying to finish a colleague's opus based only on a loose framework of notes. None the less, the book is difficult to finish and for that reason, I deducted 1/2 of a star.
Even with the disappointing later chapters, this is a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Henry I. Historians and amateurs (like myself) will enjoy. ( )
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FOREWORD [by Jeffrey Burton Russell] At last the definitive account of the reign of Henry I (1100-1135) appears in the English Monarchs series published by Yale University Press.
EDITOR'S PREFACE Like Henry I, Warren Hollister died unexpectedly, in the prime of life and at the height of his powers, leaving his life's work unfinished.
Henry I, in the words of the old Chinese curse, lived in interesting times.
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Información procedente del conocimiento común inglés.Edita para encontrar en tu idioma.
Henry I, son of William the Conqueror, ruled from 1100 to 1135, a time of fundamental change in the Anglo-Norman world. This long-awaited biography, written by one of the most distinguished medievalists of his generation, offers a major reassessment of Henry's character and reign. Challenging the dark and dated portrait of the king as brutal, greedy, and repressive, it argues instead that Henry's rule was based on reason and order.C. Warren Hollister points out that Henry laid the foundations for judicial and financial institutions usually attributed to his grandson, Henry II. Royal government was centralized and systematized, leading to firm, stable, and peaceful rule for his subjects in both England and Normandy. By mid-reign Henry I was the most powerful king in Western Europe, and with astute diplomacy, an intelligence network, and strategic marriages of his children (legitimate and illegitimate), he was able to undermine the various coalitions mounted against him. Henry strove throughout his reign to solidify the Anglo-Norman dynasty, and his marriage linked the Normans to the Old English line.Hollister vividly describes Henry's life and reign, places them against the political background of the time, and provides analytical studies of the king and his magnates, the royal administration, and relations between king and church. The resulting volume is one that will be welcomed by students and general readers alike.
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Having said that, the parts of the book Hollister didn't write are pretty hard to get through: sadly, Hollister passed before the book was completed. He selected Amanda Clark Frost to finish Henry I based on his notes, and she unfortunately wasn't able to keep up the magic Hollister had going. When you get to the chapters on Henry's treatment of magnates, his governance and laws, and especially the chapter on his religious activities, there is a significant tone change and you can tell someone besides Hollister is writing. The chapter on the church is little more than a list of Henry's every recorded activity as it related to religion, and it's nearly 100 pages long. To be fair, Frost must have been in an almost impossible position, trying to finish a colleague's opus based only on a loose framework of notes. None the less, the book is difficult to finish and for that reason, I deducted 1/2 of a star.
Even with the disappointing later chapters, this is a fantastic read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in Henry I. Historians and amateurs (like myself) will enjoy. (