Henry I of England, the youngest son of William the Conqueror and Queen Matilda of Flanders, was born around 1068. From his youth, he displayed an innate curiosity and thirst for knowledge, which earned him the moniker "Beauclerk" or "Fine Scholar". Unlike his brothers, William II and Robert Curthose, Henry's prospects for inheriting significant territories seemed slim, and as a result, he was better educated, presumably in preparation for a clerical career.

His reign began in 1100 after the untimely death of his brother, William II, in a hunting accident. Seizing the moment, Henry quickly claimed the English throne, bypassing his elder brother Robert, who was on Crusade. This act was just the start of their ongoing rivalry, culminating in Henry's 1106 invasion of Normandy, which led to Robert's capture and lifelong imprisonment.

Henry I’s reign is noted for its administrative reforms which strengthened the monarchy's power. He established a more sophisticated system of government and issued the Charter of Liberties, a precursor to the Magna Carta, promising good governance and curbing some of the more overt abuses of power. Henry’s reign also marked the proliferation of the use of written records, paving the way for the establishment of the Exchequer.

However, his reign wasn't without controversy. His heavy-handed treatment of his brother Robert, as well as his frequent conflicts with the church, particularly Archbishop Anselm over investitures (the right to appoint church officials), marked periods of tension.

Henry's foreign policies were geared toward consolidating and expanding his territories. Apart from securing Normandy, he made alliances through marriage. His own union with Matilda of Scotland helped pacify the Anglo-Saxon populace and integrate the Norman and Saxon aristocracies. Through his children’s marriages, he aimed to build alliances with neighboring territories.

In terms of family, Henry had two legitimate children by Queen Matilda: Matilda, later known as Empress Matilda, and William Adelin. The death of William Adelin in the White Ship disaster of 1120 was a personal tragedy for Henry and a political calamity for England. Without a male heir, the stage was set for a succession crisis after Henry's death. Furthermore, Henry had many illegitimate children, some of whom he married into the European nobility, establishing several significant lineages.

Henry's death in 1135 was reportedly due to food poisoning from eating "a surfeit of lampreys" – a type of fish. His death and the absence of a clear male heir plunged England into a period of civil war known as The Anarchy, between his daughter Matilda and her cousin, Stephen of Blois. The sentiments of the English populace would have been mixed: while many enjoyed relative stability and prosperity under his rule, the ensuing succession crisis highlighted the inherent risks of Henry's centralized authority.

Culturally, Henry's reign bridged the Norman and early Plantagenet periods. The Norman influence was still strong, and a hybrid Anglo-Norman culture began to emerge. This was a period when Romanesque architecture flourished, and the English language began its evolution from Old English to Middle English. The church played a pivotal role in society, acting not just as a religious institution but also as a center for learning and culture.

In conclusion, Henry I was a complex monarch whose reign left a lasting impact on England's administrative, cultural, and political landscape. His diligent governance strengthened the monarchy, but his failure to secure a male heir precipitated one of the most tumultuous periods in English history.