The first biography to offer a fully rounded treatment of the life of Henry I, the youngest son of William the Conqueror, this book presents a major new interpretation of the man and his methods. Judith Green argues that although Henry’s primary concern was defence of his inheritance this did not preclude expansion where circumstances were propitious, notably into Welsh territory. His skilful dealings with the Scots permitted consolidation of Norman rule in the northern counties of England, while in Normandy every sinew was strained to defend frontiers through political alliances and stone castles. Green argues that although Henry’s own outlook was essentially traditional, the legacy of this fascinating but repellent personality included some hugely significant developments in governance. The book also offers a fresh perspective on Henry’s court, which, it is suggested, made an important contribution to the flowering of court culture throughout twelfth-century Europe.