The archbishop’s scruples and the coronation
The archbishop’s scruples and the coronation The primate and the justiciar, who ought to have led the national councils, had at first stood passively by, but both now joined Steph…
The merging of the feuds of Blois and Normandy
The merging of the feuds of Blois and Normandy With Stephen on the throne, the two great feuds that had hitherto influenced the Angevin political career—the feud with Blois and th…
Stephen’s character and the curse of his race
Stephen’s character and the curse of his race Although Stephen had renounced all share in his father’s territories, there was one paternal heirloom he could not renounce and which…
The Angevins’ failure to hold Normandy
The Angevins’ failure to hold Normandy For the moment Stephen had outstripped his rival. The Angevin sagacity was for once at fault: steeped in continental ideas, Geoffrey and Mat…
The Norman barons invite Theobald and then submit
The Norman barons invite Theobald and then submit The Norman barons now met at Neubourg and decided to invite Count Theobald of Blois to take possession of the duchy.…
Scottish invasion and its settlement
Scottish invasion and its settlement In England Stephen was carrying all before him. His first public act as king was the burial of his predecessor at Reading on the feast of the…
Robert of Gloucester’s submission to Stephen
Robert of Gloucester’s submission to Stephen Shortly after Easter, Earl Robert of Gloucester came in—the most important figure yet, influential on both sides of the sea by rank, w…
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