Charter of Liberties

The document addressed abuses of royal power by his predecessor William II (his brother William Rufus), as perceived by the nobility, specifically the over-taxation of the barons, the abuse of vacant sees, and the practices of simony and pluralism.

The name Beauclerc was given because Henry was well educated, being able to read and write Latin, and possessed a knowledge of English law and natural history.

Various political intrigues occurred in France, which led to the imprisonment of Henry for two years by his brother William II, then King of England.

He married Edith, the daughter of King Malcolm III of Scotland, who was of mixed Anglo-Scots heritage, and so garnered great favour with the Anglo-Saxons.

It is believed to have freed prisoners, forgiven debts, and assured that holy and good laws would be maintained.

[2][4][5][6][7][8] After a traditional greeting, the Charter of Liberties contained fourteen declarations, summarised as follows:[9][10][11] Henry, king of the English, to Bishop Samson and Urso de Abetot and all his barons and faithful, both French and English, of Worcestershire, [copies were sent to all the shires] greeting.

Henry began his reign with the Charter of Liberties,[13] sending a strong message: he was returning to his father's ways, which were viewed with great nostalgia.

The Pipe Rolls which came thirty-one years into Henry's reign indicate he had extended the power of the crown well beyond the limits set in the Charter.

The establishment of the Exchequer, ostensibly to end corruption and fraud in the taking and holding of taxes, in reality, led to greater power of the crown.

Early in his reign, Henry issued a writ declaring the county and hundred courts should be held as in the days of Edward the Confessor.

[18] Chroniclers of the age state that [citation needed] Henry legislated about theft, restored capital punishment (which had been suspended for a great many crimes by William II), and harshly treated utterers of bad money and rapacious exactions of his courtiers.

The drowning of his son, William, in the loss of the White Ship in 1120, led to the end of the Norman dynasty.

Large portions of the charter were a withdrawal of practices which were of questionable legality, and corrosive politically.

Various feudal dues, instead of being arbitrary and ad hoc, were declared to be reduced to reasonable limits.

The Charter led to an obscure decree of Stephen (1135–1154), the statutum decretum that established where there was no son, daughters would inherit.

Pope Gregory VII in 1075 had prohibited lay investiture, holding the Church was independent of the state.

Whoso bare his burden of gold and silver, no man durst say aught but good.