What Can You Tell Me About King Stephen Of England?

King Stephen took the crown of England after the death of Henry I in 1135. Henry had no living sons, just one daughter. Stephen had a claim to the throne, which rarely passed to women in the Dark Ages, as h was son of Stephen, Count of Blois and his wife Adela, who was a daughter of William the Conqueror.

Stephen was fairly unscrupulous, but this was normal for the time. He stole treasure and used bribery and influence to make is case for the throne and promised the people that he would restore the laws and greatness of William the Conqueror, his grandfather. The people were impressed and gave him their support.

Things did not remain peaceful for long, however, as the Empress Matilda, Henry I daughter was interested in claiming the throne for her son, also called Henry. Henry Plantagenet based himself in Normandy with his mother but landed an army in England in 1153. There was to be a large battle at Wallingford in Oxfordshire but it was settled by negotiation. Everyone agreed that Stephen should reign as long as he lived and then Henry would take over. He did not have to wait long, as Stephen died a year later at the age of 49.