ABSTRACT
Although some degree of separation of royal administration from the person of the king begins to appear under Henry I, the successful operation of royal government was heavily dependent on the individual king and on his ability to prevent excessive power from accruing to his magnates. Henry I proved an astute diplomatist in foreign affairs, and was very largely successful at keeping control of his baronage. However, events following his death demonstrate the essential weakness of a system so dependent on the strength and personality of the king.
