Henry Beauclerc

Lord of Dumfront, Count of Bayeux and Coutances

The youngest surviving son of William the Conqueror and Queen Matilda, Henry was born in Yorkshire, after the Conquest, and raised in England. He received a remarkable education, speaks Latin and is versed in liberal arts and philosophy - hence his byname "Beauclerc."

After the death of his father, King William, Henry received no lands but a modest sum of money. He traveled England, Normandy and Brittany as an adventurer, with only a priest, a squire and a pair of men-at-arms as his entourage. At various times he has supported each of his brothers against the other, or been opposed by both. Currently with his eldest brother, Robert, Duke of Normandy, gone to the Holy Land, Henry has thrown his support behind his next brother, William Rufus.

As well as being an educated man, Henry Beauclerc shares his family's fondness for the hunt and a strong measure of his father's ruthlessness. He is known to be temperate in matters of food and drink, but passionate in matters of the flesh.