Theobald III After His Defeat
Since Geoffrey Martel’s victory over Theobald III in 1044 the counts of Blois had ceased to play a prominent part in the story.…
Stephen-Henry, Count of Blois, and Adela
The injured heir took refuge in Normandy, married the Conqueror’s sister, and found in England ample compensation for what he had lost, so that neither he nor his posterity ever a…
Stephen’s Education at the English Court
The eldest son William would normally have succeeded, but Stephen had left the entire control of his affairs, including the disposal of his territories, to his wife Adela.…
Stephen of Mortain and Boulogne
Adela was Henry’s favourite sister and the only one of his sisters who had children; she was worthy of his confidence and esteem, and once at least did him signal service by contr…
Stephen as Henry’s Adoptive Son
Stephen seems in fact to have been, next to William the Ætheling, the person for whom Henry cared most; and after the disaster of the White Ship, in which a lucky attack of illnes…
The Oath of Homage in the 1126 Council
His position was illustrated by a dispute at the Christmas council of 1126, when the barons took the oath of homage and fealty to Matilda in order of precedence.…
The Succession Question After Henry’s Death
But for that council and its oath, the succession both to the English crown and to the Norman ducal coronet would have been an open question at Henry’s death.…
The Three Claimants to the Throne
Independently of any special engagement, the barons would be fully entitled to choose between the daughter of William’s son and the sons of his daughter—between Matilda of Anjou,…
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