English Politics and the Roman Court
A double chain linked English politics with the Roman court: one through Bernard and Archbishop Henry Murdac, the other through Archbishop Theobald and Thomas Becket.…
The Introduction of Roman Law at Oxford by Vacarius
Continental revival of Roman civil jurisprudence prompted members of Theobald’s household to introduce it into England as a seed of order amid chaos.…
KAPITEL VIII.
Chapter VIII traces the simultaneous resolution of the Anglo-Norman church schism and the opening of the dynastic struggle between the houses of Anjou and Blois.…
Stephen’s Conflict with Archbishop Murdac
Stephen remained at open feud with the northern primate Henry Murdac. While the king stayed in Yorkshire, he used the opportunity to extract a heavy fine from the people of Beverl…
The Interdict at York and the Killing of the Archdeacon
After Stephen’s departure, Archbishop Murdac finally managed to enforce his interdict at York.…
Cardinal-Legate John Paparo’s Refused Safe-Conduct
Cardinal-Legate John Paparo, on his way to Ireland, asked Stephen for a safe-conduct through the king’s dominions.…
The Papal Legatine Commission to Canterbury
Archbishop Murdac’s bitter complaints reached both S. Bernard and the Pope, prompting them to give Stephen an unmistakable warning.…
Reconciliation between Stephen and Archbishop Murdac
The papal warning took immediate effect, and Stephen abruptly changed course. Weary of fruitless conflict and anxious chiefly to secure the succession for his son, he recognized t…
Murdac Enthroned at York and Mission to the Pope
With the reconciliation accomplished, Murdac was solemnly enthroned at York on the feast of S. Paul in 1151.…
Theobald’s Legatine Council in London
While Murdac was thus engaged in Rome, Archbishop Theobald launched his legatine career with a Mid-Lenten council in London.…
Henry of Winchester’s Appeals to Rome
One of Henry of Winchester’s three appeals must have been against the suspension imposed on him at the council of Reims, a sentence which the Pope, less placable than Theobald, st…
Henry’s Absolution at the Papal Court
Henry obtained absolution from the Pope. His friends at the papal court tried to win him more besides, pursuing the restoration of his legation, his old scheme of a primacy over W…
Henry’s Return with Roman Statues
Consoling himself for the collapse of his political hopes, Henry purchased a fine collection of antique statues in Rome for the adornment of his palace at Winchester.…
Hugh of Puiset’s Absolution and the End of the Northern Schism
At Henry of Winchester’s request the Pope ordered Archbishop Murdac to absolve Hugh of Puiset, who had been managing the bishop’s castles at Winchester during his absence rather t…
Stephen’s Plans for Eustace as Heir
The political prospects of both England and Stephen seemed to be brightening. Yet Stephen was increasingly conscious that for him as for his Angevin rivals the time had come to gi…
Eustace’s Embassy to the King of France
Just as Henry Fitz-Empress’s first independent act had been a kind of reconnoitring expedition to England, so the first retaliation on Stephen’s side was a visit by Eustace to the…
The Rivalry of Anjou and Blois over Normandy
The current phase of the rivalry between Anjou and Blois, the struggle for dominion over Normandy and England, affected the French Crown as deeply as the earlier contest between F…
The French Marriage and the Duchy of Aquitaine
Scarcely before the dying Louis VI granted investiture of Normandy to Stephen’s young son in 1137, William IX, the last of the old line of dukes of Aquitaine, died on pilgrimage a…
Gerald of Montreuil-Bellay and the Angevin Revolt
Gerald, lord of Montreuil-Bellay near the southern border of Anjou, one of the fortresses raised by Fulk Nerra in his early warfare with Odo of Blois, was denounced by an Angevin…
The Siege of Montreuil-Bellay
After nearly twelve months of labor, Geoffrey’s forces still could not overcome the Valley of Judas separating them from the castle.…
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.