Which King “never Smiled Again” And Why?

Henry I, brother of the hated William II, succeeded to the English throne in 1100. He was a much more successful ruler than his brother, and laid the foundations for the legal and financial institutions which still exist today. In 1120, however, Henry's son and the heir to the throne, William, was drowned while travelling from Normandy to England. This tragedy affected the king so deeply that he was said never to have smiled again.
. Henry's son's death proved a tragedy for the nation too, since there was now no acceptable heir to the throne. His daughter Matilda (often called Maud) was supposed to be crowned on his death in 1135, but the barons refused to accept a female ruler and instead chose Stephen, a grandson of William the Conqueror. Civil war followed until 1153, when it was agreed that Stephen should rule until his death, followed by Matilda's son Henry.

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