ABSTRACT
Henry I of England died quickly. Falling ill after hunting at Lyons-la-Forêt on 25 November 1135, he was dead within a week, passing as the sun went down on the evening of 1 December. 1 Yet he died lucidly, aware of death's approach and in command of himself and his intellect almost (it seems) to the end. His deathbed was conducted with great propriety. He was attended from 28 November by Hugh, archbishop of Rouen, former abbot of his own foundation of Reading, who daily confessed and absolved him, and enjoined measures of penance, to which the king agreed. He made arrangements for his own burial. Watches of courtiers surrounded his bed, day and night; they were sworn at the king's own command not to abandon his body, but to escort it to its burial. He received the rites of anointing and last communion.
