Henry I of England plans for Matilda, the King was succeeded by his nephew, Stephen of Blois, resulting in a period of civil war known as the Anarchy. Henry was probably born in England in 1068, in either the summer or the last weeks of the year, possibly in the town of Selby in Yorkshire. His father was William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy who had invaded England in 1066 to become the King of England, establishing lands stretching into Wales. The invasion had created an Anglo-Norman elite, many with estates spread across both sides of the English Channel. These Anglo-Norman barons typically
Henry I the Bald, Count of Stade grandson Thietmar of Merseburg recounts that Henry tried to capture Margrave Hermann Billung because of “arrogance” in ceremonial matters, but failed. Henry married first Judith von der Wetterau (925-973), sister of Conrad I, Duke of Swabia. Their father was either Conrad or Udo, son of Gebbard, Duke of Lorraine. Henry married second Hildegard von Reinhausen, daughter of Elli I, Count of Reinhausen. Henry and Judith had seven children: Henry and Hildegard had one child: Henry was succeeded as Count of Stade by his brother Siegfried I. The date of succession is unclear, but possibly as early as 973. Henry I