1. Henry I of England died after consuming an excessive quantity of lampreys whilst on campaign in France
Henry I, also known as Henry Beauclerc, was the fourth son of William the Conqueror and King of England from 1100 until his death in 1135. Left landless after the death of his father, passed over for inheritance in favor of his elder brothers, Robert Curthose and William Rufus, Henry was even deposed as Count of Contentin by his brothers in 1091 after purchasing the title from Robert. Gradually building a coalition of support, Henry, present during the mysterious circumstances surrounding the “accidental” death of his brother William in 1100, seized the throne of England. Although challenged by Robert, who invaded in 1101, Henry repelled his brother.
Returning the challenge, Henry invaded the Duchy of Normandy in 1105. Capturing his brother, Robert was imprisoned until his death in 1134, and Henry successfully reunited the family possessions of Normandy and England under a singular ruler. After the death of his pampered heir, William Adelin, the heirless Henry faced sustained challenges to his authority in Normandy. During a military campaign in 1135, after overindulging in a feast of lampreys, the king fell seriously ill. Although trying to rectify his stubborn refusal to name successors before his terminal illness took effect, his death precipitated a protracted civil war lasting until 1153.
Where do we find this stuff? Here are our sources:
“William the Conqueror”, David Bates, Tempus Publishing (2001)
“Catherine the Great”, Simon Dixon, Longman Publishing (2001)
“Catherine the Great”, Virginia Rounding, Hutchinson Publishing (2006)
“Icelandic Sagas, Vol. III: The Orkenyingers’ Saga”, Sir George W. Dasent (2007)
“Orkneyinga Saga: The History of the Earls of Orkney”, Hermann Palsson, Penguin Classics (1981)
“Maria Theresa”, Edward Crankshaw, Longman Publishers (1970)
“A History of the Habsburg Empire, 1526-1918”, Robert A. Kahn, University of California Press (1992)
“Millennium in Central Europe: A History of Hungary”, Laszlo Kontler, Atlantisz Publishing (1999)
“The Deeds of the Hungarians”, Simon of Keza, Central European University Press (1999)
“The Death of William Rufus”, W.L. Warren, History Today (1959)
“Adolphus Frederick”, Encyclopaedia Britannica
“The History of China”, David Curtis Wright, Greenwood Publishing Group (2001)
“The First Emperor of China”, Li Yu-ning, International Arts and Sciences Press (1975)
“Henry II: King of France, 1547-1559”, Frederic J. Baumgartner, Duke University Press (1988)
“Kings of the Hellenes: The Greek Kings, 1863-1974”, John Van der Kiste, Sutton Publishing (1999)
“The Medieval Crown of Aragon: A Short History”, Thomas N. Bisson, Clarendon Press (1986)
“The History of Court Fools”, John Doran, Bently Publishing (2015)
“George II: King and Elector”, Andrew C. Thompson, Yale University Press (2011)
“George II and Queen Caroline”, John Van der Kiste, Sutton Publishing (1997)
“Alexander III: King of Scots”, Marion Campbell, House of Lochar Publishing (1999)
“The Italian Wars: 1494-1559”, Michael Mallet and Christine Shaw, Pearson Education (2012)
“Louis XI: The Universal Spider”, Paul Murray Kendall, W.W. Norton & Company (1971)
“James II”, C. McGladdery, John Donald Short Run Press 1796 (2015)
“Henry I”, Warren C. Hollister, Yale University Press (2003)
“The Normans: The History of a Dynasty”, David Crouch, Hambledon Continuum (2002)
