Matilda had been promised a number of castles in Normandy as part of her dowry, but had not been given any indication of when she could take possession of them. However, Geoffrey was from Anjou, a rival of Normandy, and the marriage ended up being unpopular. The anonymous 12th-century history Gesta Stephani (The Deeds of Stephen) paints a dismal picture of the state of the country at this time: “England, formerly the seat of justice, the habitation of peace, the height of piety, the mirror of religion, became thereafter a home of perversity, a haunt of strife, a training-ground of disorder, and a teacher of every kind of rebellion.” The Anarchy would be looked back on for centuries to come as one of the darkest periods in England’s history. Log in here for access, 11 chapters | To quell concerns about a female monarch ruling alone, she was married to a French noble named Geoffrey Plantagenet. Matilda was incensed at this news and refused to accept this decision quietly. Together they secured a foothold in western England, built a strong alliance, and in 1141 managed to capture Stephen. Fearing for the succession, Henry married Adeliza of Louvain (a woman 35 years his junior) in 1121 in the hope of fathering another male heir – though he had other sons, none were legitimate. Until this crisis, Henry’s rule had been viewed as strong with a centralised government; the thought of chaos at his death was troubling to England’s nobility. The Impact of Anarchy on English Monasticism, 1135-1154 Thomas Callahan, Jr. King Stephen's reign has long been recognized as a crucial period for monasticism in England. Sciences, Culinary Arts and Personal The Anarchy dragged on for nearly twenty years and is so called because of the chaos and lawlessness that characterised the period. He decided that the best bet was his only other legitimate child, a daughter named Matilda. By entering your details, you are agreeing to HistoryExtra terms and conditions and privacy policy. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The 1138 Battle of the Standard was an English victory, but David received much of the territorial concessions he had wanted including the Earldom of Northumberland as well as keeping hold of Carlisle and Cumberland. 1988. Alongside Stephen’s issues, Matilda also struck coins, as did individual barons, who may have been taking advantage of the absence of royal authority to build their own autonomous power blocs. All rights reserved. King David of Scotland invaded England on Stephen’s ascension to the throne as he recognised his niece, Matilda, as the rightful monarch. In September 1141, Robert was captured at Winchester by Stephen’s queen, also called Matilda, who led loyal nobles and Flemish mercenaries in Stephen’s name. Now came the process of building up English support for Matilda's claim. Akin to the finest pages in “A Game of Thrones,” the nation was plunged into a struggle for power and a rabid race for the lucrative English throne. THE TOP 5 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S BEST BOOKS OF 2019 LONGLISTED FOR THE BAILLIE GIFFORD PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2019 A FINANCIAL TIMES, OBSERVER, DAILY TELEGRAPH, WALL STREET JOURNAL AND TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR 'Dalrymple is a superb historian with a visceral understanding of India … A book of beauty' – Gerard DeGroot, The … Theobald’s younger brother Stephen, however, had other ideas. You have successfully linked your account! The throne was instead taken by Matilda's cousin Stephen of Blois, who enjoyed the backing of the English Church. In this lesson, we'll explore this time and see how it impacted English history. Stephen was forced to recognize Henry as the heir apparent. The official website for BBC History Magazine and BBC History Revealed, Try 3 issues of BBC History Magazine or BBC History Revealed for only £5, What was the Anarchy that tore England apart in the 12th century? Please enter your number below. Henry named his daughter, Matilda, as the heir, but she and her French husband had become very unpopular by 1135 when Henry I died. However, Stephen's son died, and Matilda's son, Henry Plantagenet, re-invaded in 1153. Stephen began to quickly lose support. Royal Château de Blois was ALSO the home of King Stephen of England, he of the Anarchy 1135-1153 (as in Ken Follet’s novel Pillars of the Earth). Henry refused, perhaps out of fear that Geoffrey would try and seize power in Normandy for himself. Even though he was the anointed king, his legs were chained, and his poor treatment served to lessen Matilda’s popularity. What’s more, England had never had a reigning queen before, and people were suspicious of a woman on the throne. Stephen was crowned King of England on the 22nd December 1135, usurping his cousin and royal contender to the throne, Empress Matilda . When Stephen died in 1154, Henry Plantagenet became Henry II – the first of the dynasty that ruled England until 1485. Authority broke down, Stephen’s government lost control – hence the term ‘anarchy’ – and unlicensed castles began to appear. He was the illegitimate half-brother of Matilda, and one of the most powerful barons in the country. What was the Anarchy? Earn Transferable Credit & Get your Degree. Eustace died unexpectedly in 1153, however, and Henry invaded England once again. Matilda was forced to flee to Oxford when an angry mob and the London militia advanced on Westminster. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}} lessons Though the economy was in tatters due to long periods of fighting, Henry II united a kingdom that had been torn apart, dismissing the Scottish and Welsh invaders who had taken advantage of the chaos. Sociology 110: Cultural Studies & Diversity in the U.S. When King Henry I died in 1135, Stephen - grandson of William the Conqueror - grabbed the throne from Henry's daughter Matilda leading to an extended period of civil war, chaos and anarchy in England. Thanks! There, she established a base in the southwest. They, along with the citizens of London, agreed to recognize him as their king. | 9 Robert of Gloucester, who may have denied Stephen entry to the country in 1135, rebelled against Stephen. You can unsubscribe at any time. In the lead up to a coronation, the soon-to-be monarch would traditionally listen to petitions about tax concessions and requests for favours, but Matilda granted no favours and banished all petitioners from her presence. Henry II attempted to reverse this with the Constitution of Clarendon – 16 articles which would reduce ecclesiastical privilege and lessen the power of the church courts. Domestic production stopped, the Crown essentially stopped ruling, and local lords ruled their fiefdoms like kings. Thank you for subscribing to HistoryExtra, you now have unlimited access. Stephen’s son Eustace was less than happy with the idea of a truce, but his sudden death in August simplified matters as far as claimants to the throne were concerned, leading to a more formal agreement – the Treaty of Winchester, in which Stephen would continue to rule, with Henry as his successor. Hoppa till navigering Hoppa till sök. And when a rebellion broke out in Normandy, Matilda and Geoffrey sided with the rebels against Henry. Control of the coinage famously broke down during the ‘Anarchy’: a civil war between King Stephen (r. 1135-1154) and the Empress Matilda. The Impact of Anarchy on English Monasticism, 1135-1154 - Volume 6 Issue 3 - Thomas Callahan David would invade northern England numerous times over the next few years to help Matilda’s efforts and to increase his own territories. After William died, fighting broke out amongst his children as to how they should divide the kingdom. With that, Stephen and Matilda were at war. The civil war was finally over, and with it the Anarchy. Listen: Catherine Hanley tells the story of Empress Matilda, whose battle for the English throne became known as ‘the anarchy’ on this episode of the HistoryExtra podcast: As Stephen’s rule progressed, he began to alienate many nobles who had been key advisors to Henry I by promoting his own friends. Short biographies of other notable barons during the years 1135-1154 ... was also prominent figure in The Anarchy. In its long history, England has fought against itself several times. During Henry’s final years, relations with his daughter and son-in-law became strained. Is The Anarchy related to the Wars of the Roses? Octavo, pp. Matilda was expelled from London, Stephen went on ruling, and the war continued. Henry's succession plan was in crisis, and he started looking around for a new heir. They fought so many battles that we sometimes forget: not all these battles were fought against other people. The powerful English barons backed this claim. It is quite possible that this issue continued to be struck until 1141 but owing to the confused state of the country (and of the coinage) at the time of the anarchy … In 1135 Henry I’s death sparked off a succession crisis leading to a period known as The Anarchy which came to a head during the reign of Stephen of Blois. An at a glance guide for teachers and students of Anarchy 1135-1154. flashcard sets, {{courseNav.course.topics.length}} chapters | Catherine Hanley tells the story of Empress Matilda, History explorer: Stephen and Matilda’s fight for the throne, Alexander the Great: all you need to know about the empire builder and military genius. Therefore there can be no doubt that this was the first type of the reign. Her claim was upheld by her half-brother Robert of Gloucester (one of Henry I’s illegitimate sons), as well as her uncle King David I of Scotland. In 1135, Henry I died and despite all of his efforts, England was thrust into a succession crisis. Her arrogant boasting alienated some of her top supporters, who defected back to Stephen's cause. Still, discontent continued to rise, and the English nobility began to see Matilda as haughty and arrogant. An illegitimate son of Henry I and the half-brother of the Empress Matilda, Robert was one of the most powerful Anglo-Norman barons, controlling estates in Nor… Perfect for KS3 Stretch and Challenge throughout Fully Resourced Your guide to the Anarchy, the bloody battle between Stephen and Matilda. | Differentiated Instruction Resources, TExES History 7-12 (233): Practice & Study Guide, OAE Mathematics: Properties of Real Numbers, Holt McDougal Biology Chapter 34: Reproduction & Development, Quiz & Worksheet - Genes Types & Function, Quiz & Worksheet - Importance of Web Presence, Quiz & Worksheet - Configuration Management Process & Tools, Quiz & Worksheet - Lord Mahavira & the Jain Religion, Paul Gauguin, Artist: Biography, Facts & Paintings, Tech and Engineering - Questions & Answers, Health and Medicine - Questions & Answers. Matilda was nominated by her father as the heir to the throne of England, but in 1135 Stephen of Blois claimed that his uncle had changed his mind on his deathbed, recognising Stephen instead as his successor to the throne. About The Anarchy. Though charming, attractive and (when required) a brave warrior, Stephen (reigned 1135-54) lacked ruthlessness and failed to inspire loyalty. Matilda passed control of her armies to her son, Henry Plantagenet, who had grown into a popular and competent leader. Assassinations: from the ancient world to JFK, Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I: a queen in a king’s world. Most: Be able to explain the events of the ‘Anarchy… All: Know the narrative and events of the ‘Anarchy’ in England between 1135-1153. Robert’s declaration of support for Matilda caused a rebellion to rise up across the southwest of England as well as Kent, while Geoffrey of Anjou invaded Normandy and David I attacked northern England. Henry named her as his successor in 1127. Create your account, Already registered? Henry enjoyed military success in Normandy and set his sights on England – in 1153, he undertook an effective campaign, managing to take control of much of the country with little fighting. The Anarchy was a war in England and Normandy between 1135 and 1154, characterised by a breakdown in law and order. 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Henry died in 1135, but Matilda and Geoffrey faced opposition from Anglo-Norman barons. What was the ‘Anarchy’ between 1135 to 1153? Refine This List Filters Choose basic attributes Profile Information Relationships, manager, etc. Many authors have written about alleged anarchical conditions during those nineteen years, and scholars have done a great deal of work on twelfth century English Emma Slattery Williams explores for BBC History Revealed…. In 1066, the Norman Duke William the Conqueror swept into England and, well, conquered it. The first vestiges of a resolution appeared at Wallingford in July 1153: Stephen and Henry’s forces camped on either side of the Thames, but the barons on both sides refused to fight. In 1147, Robert of Gloucester died, and with him the main thrust of Matilda’s military campaign. From his efforts to create a more functional society it seems clear that Henry had quite enough of anarchy. You're now subscribed to our newsletter. Stephen had no popular support, and his oldest son was gone, so he was forced to recognize Henry as the heir apparent. However, she quickly lost support from the people of London for another reason. Stephen then tried to create a stronger relationship with the King of Scotland, who demanded more land in their new relationship and invaded England when negotiations failed. Many barons and clergy became a law unto themselves. flashcard set{{course.flashcardSetCoun > 1 ? When William’s son King Henry I died in 1135, his rightful heir was his daughter, Empress Matilda. Card covers. Stephen had been amongst the first to pledge loyalty to Matilda, his cousin, but the nobles believed he had a legitimate claim to the throne. Save up to 72% and get your first 3 issues for only £5! In order to prevent future turmoil, he named his only legitimate son, William Adelin, heir to everything he owned. There seems to be a problem, please try again. Quarrels about this would eventually lead to the infamous falling-out between Henry II and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, and the latter’s murder. Sorted by date added Focus Project Group. The Anarchy is the preferred name in English history that pertains to the period of civil war and unsettled government, often known as The Nineteen Year Winter, that occurred during the reign (1135– 1154) of King Stephen of England. In light of an English succession crisis, the Welsh princes rebelled to reclaim their independence. How did Richard the Lionheart die? He fought for Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln in 1141 and despite the King’s defeat continued to loyally support Stephen’s cause. © copyright 2003-2021 Study.com. Fighting broke out on several fronts during 1138. Many had already made peace amongst themselves and forced Henry and Stephen to do the same – though there were skirmishes while the peace was ironed out. King Stephen was also a de Boulogne and his son Eustace de Boulogne was heir to the English throne. Working Scholars® Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. The conflict was a succession crisis precipitated by the accidental death by drowning of William Adelin, the only legitimate son of … Crowned King Henry II in 1154, the new monarch ended the civil war and the Anarchy, a period of chaos that the English would not soon forget. However, the emperor died in 1125, and Matilda was deemed fit to re-enter English politics. This war opposed Stephen of Blois and the Empress Matilda, wife of Geoffrey Plantagenet. Robert was exchanged for Stephen, weakening the former empress further. If you subscribe to BBC History Magazine Print or Digital Editions then you can unlock 10 years’ worth of archived history material fully searchable by Topic, Location, Period and Person. The Anarchy is the name given to the civil war over the succession to the throne of Henry I Beauclerc, King of England and Duke of Normandy, from 1135 to 1154. This article was first published in the October 2020 edition of History Revealed. He reformed the government and established the basis for English common law. Over the next few years there were minor scuffles and an attempt at peace as Stephen tried to reclaim the region. In this year went the King Henry over sea at the Lammas; and the next day, as he lay asleep on ship, the day darkened over all lands, and the sun was all as it were a three night old moon, and the stars about him at midday. • Know the narrative and events of the ‘Anarchy’ in England between 1135-1153. Henry had the English nobles swear oaths of allegiance to Matilda in 1127, 1128, and 1131. Wasting no time, Stephen crossed the Channel to England from Boulogne, seizing the crown on 22 December. Teaching Financial Literacy & Personal Finance, Overview of Blood & the Cardiovascular System, Electrolyte, Water & pH Balance in the Body, Sexual Reproduction & the Reproductive System, How Teachers Can Improve a Student's Hybrid Learning Experience. Stephen took steps to solidify his new regime but faced threats both from neighbouring powers and from opponents within his kingdom. The Anarchy was a period of civil war in England between 1135 and 1153, following the death of Henry I. Instead, her cousin, Stephen of Blois claimed the throne. However, it wouldn't last forever. Yet only one … One notable defector was Robert Gloucester, one of Henry's many illegitimate children, and half-brother of Matilda. England was in absolute chaos, or at least that's what traditional sources tell us. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Unfortunately, Matilda was a sore winner. You will shortly receive a receipt for your purchase via email. In 1138, the real fighting that defined the Anarchy began. {{courseNav.course.mDynamicIntFields.lessonCount}}, The Battle of Hastings 1066: Summary, Facts & Significance, ISEB Common Entrance Exam at 13+ History: Study Guide & Test Prep, Biological and Biomedical She left for Normandy the following year and passed her claim to the throne to her son, Henry Plantagenet.