Stephen

1135-1154

Stephen was the nephew of King Henry I and grandson of William the Conqueror. He was born in France but raised in England from late childhood. Crowned in 1135, he proved to be a warrior king rather than a wise ruler. While he excelled at friendship he was not astute politically and seemed unable to inspire or maintain deep loyalty. Reportedly brave and handsome, with warmth and charm, he was nonetheless seen as a weak king. Henry I had intended his daughter Matilda to become Queen of England at the end of his reign. Even though Stephen had sworn allegiance to his cousin Matilda at Henry’s insistence, he later claimed that Henry had chosen him to be king before he died. At the time of Henry’s death Stephen was in Bolougne and able to stake a claim to the throne before Matilda could make the journey from Anjou.

While Stephen was a popular choice for his subjects, he was not accepted by the English barons with the notable exceptions of Roger, Bishop of Salisbury and Stephen’s younger brother, Henry, Bishop of Winchester. Henry used his influence to persuade the Archbishop of Canterbury to crown Stephen. Although initally in favour with the clergy, he lost their support when he took riches from the Bishops of Ely, Lincoln and even Salisbury. By the time Matilda invaded England from France four years into Stephen’s reign, she had growing support. David I of Scotland invaded England on Matilda’s behalf every year for four years from 1135. Eventually Stephen allowed the Scots to claim Carlisle and Cumberland as part of their kingdom. This conciliatory act was seen as a sign of weakness by his enemies.

A long running civil war began in 1138 when Robert, Earl of Gloucester, and an illegitimate half-brother of Matilda, switched allegiance from Stephen. During this time of feuding between the cousins, the people of England were suffering. As the civil war, known as ‘the anarchy’ raged, the barons took advantage of the common people. They taxed them heavily and denied them the rights granted them by King Henry. Instead of planting crops, the population took up arms. Food and peace were scarce. Stephen was unable to bring the barons to heel. He lacked their respect. When two of his barons seized some of his land and castles, he failed to punish them sufficiently. This compounded his reputation for weakness and made it even harder for him to maintain law and order within his kingdom.

In February 1141, the joint army of Matilda and Robert captured Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln and Matilda experienced a brief reign as Queen. Unfortunately she lost her popularity at this time because of her haughty demeanour. She was driven out of London before she could be crowned. Stephen’s wife, also named Matilda, was a French lady with links to the English crown. She skilfully fought on her husband’s behalf. In November of that same year, Robert was captured by Stephen’s men and held hostage. In exchange for his freedom, Matilda released Stephen. Four years later, at the Battle of Faringdon, Stephen defeated Matilda. This was the beginning of the end for Matilda. Following the death of her great ally Robert three years later, she retired to France. This paved the way for her son Henry of Anjou to take up the fight for the crown.

In 1153 a solution to the feud was found. Henry of Anjou was amassing popular support in England. At this time the Treaty of Wallingford was brokered. This gave Stephen the right to reign during his lifetime on condition the crown passed to Henry on his death.

Stephen Factfile