S TL

Question 1

1135

Answer 1

• Stephen:
  
  • Count of Mortain, holder of extensive estates in east/north-west England
  • Married to Matilda of Boulogne.
  • Has a power base to launch a campaign that Matilda doesn’t.
• Upon Henry I’s death Stephen was better placed to make a bid for the throne than Matilda who was fighting in Normandy (against Henry’s forces)
• He arrived in December 1135 and was acclaimed by the citizens there as king.
• Henry of Blois (brother) was Bishop of Winchester, and he was crucial in convincing Archbishop William of Corbeil to consecrate Stephen - he also earned Stephen the support of Innocent II and Roger of Salisbury
• Stephen earned the support of Roger le Poer and his family.
• Norman earls supported Theobald (Stephen’s brother) initially, but on hearing of the coronation they supported Stephen.
• Stephen issued his first coronation charter: short, promises the liberties and laws of Henry I and of Edward the Confessor. Given in haste, there’s only one witness.
• David I of Scotland invaded and occupied Cumberland and Northumberland in support of Matilda (his niece)

Question 2

1136

Answer 2

• Stephen marched North and made a truce with David in Durham.
• He held a court in Oxford, where he issued his charter of liberties (second coronation charter), which was longer and emphasised support of the Church mainly (he needed their support since they could always crown Matilda if they didn’t approve of him). This one has many witnesses. Note - having two coronation charters is a sign of insecurity
• Uprising in the Welsh marches, fighting in Normandy and rebels in England as well (Stephen besieges Exeter Castle vs Baldwin de Redvers - Man raised from the dust)

Question 3

1137

Answer 3

• Stephen visits Normandy, gets the recognition of King Louis (but has to pay him homage) and agrees a three year truce with Geoffrey of Anjou (who has been fighting to take over Normandy)
• Makes Hugh de Poer an earl (so his policy of decentralisation was NOT a response to the civil war)

Question 4

1138

Answer 4

• David I invades again. Stephen pushes him back, but then has to leave and David keeps pressing.
• Robert earl of Gloucester (Henry I’s illegitimate son) declared support for Matilda and rebels in Normandy, despite having been put in charge there by Stephen!
• Uprisings against Stephen throughout the land - but they were kept at bay by Stephen (good military achievement - shows he’s good at battle)
• Battle of the Standard: Thurstan, Archbishop of York, defeats Scots
• Appointed Theobald of Bec as Archbishop of Canterbury - done when Henry is not there since Henry wanted the position for himself arguably
• Alberic of Ostia arrives and deposes and consecrates bishops

Question 5

1139

Answer 5

• Peace with David I of Scotland as Henry, David’s son, is made earl of Northumbria
• Roger le Poer (CJ for Henry I), his son (also Roger, chancellor) and Alexander, bishop of Lincoln, arrested, while Nigel bishop of Ely and royal treasurer escaped (supports Matilda).
• September, Matilda and Robert of Gloucester land on the South Coast and civil war begins.
• Church council at Winchester
• Second Lateran Council - only 5 bishops allowed to go

Question 6

1140

Answer 6

Castle of Lincoln was seized by Ranulf earl of Chester. Stephen relieves the castle and reaches a generous settlement for Ranulf, granting him control of the castle

Question 7

1141

Answer 7

• Stephen returns to Lincoln and lays seige to the castle again. In February, Ranulf and Robert of Gloucester fought and captured Stephen
• Matilda eventually entered London but alienated the people by refusing to confirm their privileges and making extortionate financial demands. She was driven out by Matilda (Stephen’s wife).
• Matilda attacked Henry of Winchester (who had joined her but abandoned her) but was attacked by the queen and managed to escape (but Robert was captured).
• A deal is made for Stephen’s release in return for Robert’s.
• Church council in Winchester, where Matilda is declared ‘lady of the English’

Question 8

1142-47

Answer 8

• Anarchy!
• 1143 - Geoffrey de Mandeville rebels in East Anglia
• 1144 - Geoffrey of Anjou made duke of Normandy. Louis VII recognises him - he hopes to separate Normandy and England.
• Ranulf of Chester arrested in 1146
• Death of Robert of Gloucester in 1147.

Question 9

1148

Answer 9

• Matilda returns to Normandy
• Theobald, archbishop of Canterbury, exiled having attended the Council of Rhiems. Only three bishops were allowed to go.
• Interdict placed on England - relations with Church at an all time low. But Theobald prevents Eugenius from excommunicating him.

Question 10

1152

Answer 10

• English bishops refuse to consecrate Eustace (Stephen’s son) as co-king.
• Henry (duke of Normandy in 1149, count of Anjou 1151) marries Eleanor of Aquitaine

Question 11

1153

Answer 11

• Henry returns to England.
• Eustace (Stephen’s son) dies.
• In Wallingford the barons refuse to fight, terms agreed in Winchester.
• Treaty of Westminster - Stephen recognises Henry as heir in return for lifelong possession of the throne. William (Stephen’s other son) allowed to keep his lands but cannot claim the throne of England.

Question 12

1154

Answer 12

Stephen dies in October, Henry consecrated.