tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77055562418592334592024-03-09T05:41:16.040+11:00The AnarchyAelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-14227166258738172182011-08-17T19:08:00.000+10:002011-08-17T19:08:34.406+10:00From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: 1154<br />
A.D.1154. In this year died the King Stephen; and he was buried where his wife and his son were buried, at Faversham; which monastery they founded. When the king died, then was the earl beyond sea; but no man durst do other than good for the great fear of him. When he came to England, then was he received with great worship, and blessed to king in London on the Sunday before midwinter day. And there held he a full court. The same day that Martin, Abbot of Peterborough, should have gone thither, then sickened he, and died on the fourth day before the nones of<br />
January; and the monks, within the day, chose another of themselves, whose name was William de Walteville, a good clerk, and good man, and well beloved of the king, and of all good men. And all the monks buried the abbot with high honours. And soon the newly chosen abbot, and the monks with him, went to Oxford to the king. And the king gave him the abbacy; and he proceeded soon afterwards to Peterborough; where he remained with the abbot, ere he came home. And the king was received with great worship at Peterborough, in full procession. And so he was also at Ramsey, and at Thorney, and at --- and at Spalding, and at ---<br />
<br />
Notes:<br />
This post concludes the material I have to share at this point in time but I hope you enjoy reading through it all. However, if something new should come to hand ...<br />
until then Cheers for now!<br />
Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-17776640089369527402011-08-16T21:38:00.001+10:002011-08-17T19:10:20.907+10:00From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: 1140-53<br />
A.D. 1140. In this year wished the King Stephen to take Robert,<br />
Earl of Gloucester, the son of King Henry; but he could not, for<br />
he was aware of it. After this, in the Lent, the sun and the day<br />
darkened about the noon-tide of the day, when men were eating;<br />
and they lighted candles to eat by. That was the thirteenth day<br />
before the kalends of April. Men were very much struck with<br />
wonder. Thereafter died William, Archbishop of Canterbury; and<br />
the king made Theobald archbishop, who was Abbot of Bec. After<br />
this waxed a very great war betwixt the king and Randolph, Earl<br />
of Chester; not because he did not give him all that he could ask<br />
him, as he did to all others; but ever the more he gave them, the<br />
worse they were to him. The Earl held Lincoln against the king,<br />
and took away from him all that he ought to have. And the king<br />
went thither, and beset him and his brother William de Romare in<br />
the castle. And the earl stole out, and went after Robert, Earl<br />
of Glocester, and brought him thither with a large army. And<br />
they fought strenuously on Candlemas day against their lord, and<br />
took him; for his men forsook him and fled. And they led him to<br />
Bristol, and there put him into prison in close quarters. Then<br />
was all England stirred more than ere was, and all evil was in<br />
the land. Afterwards came the daughter of King Henry, who had<br />
been Empress of Germany, and now was Countess of Anjou. She came to London; but the people of London attempted to take her, and she fled, losing many of her followers. After this the Bishop of Winchester, Henry, the brother of King Stephen, spake with Earl Robert, and with the empress, and swore them oaths, "that he<br />
never more would hold with the king, his brother," and cursed all<br />
the men that held with him, and told them, that he would give<br />
them up Winchester; and he caused them to come thither. When<br />
they were therein, then came the king's queen with all her<br />
strength, and beset them, so that there was great hunger therein.<br />
When they could no longer hold out, then stole they out, and<br />
fled; but those without were aware, and followed them, and took<br />
Robert, Earl of Glocester, and led him to Rochester, and put him<br />
there into prison; but the empress fled into a monastery. Then<br />
went the wise men between the king's friends and the earl's<br />
friends; and settled so that they should let the king out of<br />
prison for the earl, and the earl for the king; and so they did.<br />
After this settled the king and Earl Randolph at Stamford, and<br />
swore oaths, and plighted their troth, that neither should betray<br />
the other. But it availed nothing. For the king afterwards took<br />
him at Northampton, through wicked counsel, and put him into<br />
prison; and soon after he let him out again, through worse<br />
counsel, on the condition that he swore by the crucifix, and<br />
found hostages, that he would give up all his castles. Some he<br />
gave up, and some gave he not up; and did then worse than he<br />
otherwise would. Then was England very much divided. Some held<br />
with the king, and some with the empress; for when the king was<br />
in prison, the earls and the rich men supposed that he never more<br />
would come out: and they settled with the empress, and brought<br />
her into Oxford, and gave her the borough. When the king was<br />
out, he heard of this, and took his force, and beset her in the<br />
tower*. And they let her down in the night from the tower<br />
by ropes. And she stole out, and fled, and went on foot to<br />
Wallingford. Afterwards she went over sea; and those of Normandy turned all from the king to the Earl of Anjou; some willingly,and some against their will; for he beset them till they gave uptheir castles, and they had no help of the king. Then went Eustace, the king's son, to France, and took to wife the sister<br />
of the King of France. He thought to obtain Normandy thereby;<br />
but he sped little, and by good right; for he was an evil man.<br />
Wherever he was, he did more evil than good; he robbed the lands,<br />
and levied heavy guilds upon them. He brought his wife to<br />
England, and put her into the castle at... Good woman she<br />
was; but she had little bliss with him; and Christ would not that<br />
he should long reign. He therefore soon died, and his mother<br />
also. And the Earl of Anjou died; and his son Henry took to the<br />
earldom. And the Queen of France parted from the king; and she<br />
came to the young Earl Henry; and he took her to wife, and all<br />
Poitou with her. Then went he with a large force into England,<br />
and won some castles; and the king went against him with a much<br />
larger force. Nevertheless, fought they not; but the archbishop<br />
and the wise men went between them, and made this settlement:<br />
That the king should be lord and king while he lived, and after<br />
his day Henry should be king: that Henry should take him for a<br />
father; and he him for a son: that peace and union should be<br />
betwixt them, and in all England. This and the other provisions<br />
that they made, swore the king and the earl to observe; and all<br />
the bishops, and the earls, and the rich men. Then was the earl<br />
received at Winchester, and at London, with great worship; and<br />
all did him homage, and swore to keep the peace. And there was<br />
soon so good a peace as never was there before. Then was the<br />
king stronger than he ever was before. And the earl went over<br />
sea; and all people loved him; for he did good justice, and made<br />
peace.<br />
<br />
Notes:<br />
<br />
As you can see from reading through this entry in the chronicle, although dated for 1140, it covers all the years from 1140-53 in a very condensed form.<br />
<br />
* The tower referred to is Oxford which was originally built by Robert D'Oyly. By this time, 1141/42, it was held by his nephew Robert D'Oyly, the son of Nigel D'Oyly.<br />
Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-55405448217644834362011-08-15T22:32:00.006+10:002011-08-17T21:13:43.924+10:00From the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: 1135<br />
A.D. 1135. In this year went the King Henry over sea at the<br />
Lammas; and the next day, as he lay asleep on ship, the day<br />
darkened over all lands, and the sun was all as it were a three<br />
night old moon, and the stars about him at midday. Men were very<br />
much astonished and terrified, and said that a great event should<br />
come hereafter. So it did; for that same year was the king dead,<br />
the next day after St. Andrew's mass-day, in Normandy. Then was<br />
there soon tribulation in the land; for every man that might,<br />
soon robbed another. Then his sons and his friends took his<br />
body, and brought it to England, and buried it at Reading. A<br />
good man he was; and there was great dread of him. No man durst<br />
do wrong with another in his time. Peace he made for man and<br />
beast. Whoso bare his burthen of gold and silver, durst no man<br />
say ought to him but good. Meanwhile was his nephew come to<br />
England, Stephen de Blois. He came to London, and the people of<br />
London received him, and sent after the Archbishop William<br />
Curboil, and hallowed him to king on midwinter day. In this<br />
king's time was all dissention, and evil, and rapine; for against<br />
him rose soon the rich men who were traitors; and first of all<br />
Baldwin de Redvers, who held Exeter against him. But the king<br />
beset it; and afterwards Baldwin accorded. Then took the others,<br />
and held their castles against him; and David, King of Scotland,<br />
took to Wessington against him. Nevertheless their messengers<br />
passed between them; and they came together, and were settled,<br />
but it availed little.<br />
<br />
Notes:<br />
1st August is Lammas Day, "the feast of first fruits". A blessing was performed annually in the church on the 1st or 6th of August. From this we can reasonably conclude that Henry I left for Normandy in early August.<br />
<br />
St. Andrew's day is 30th November, dating Henry's death to 1st December.<br />
<br />
Midwinter day is usually around 21st - 22nd December<br />
<br />
Wessington is a village in the county of Derbyshire, EnglandAelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-51133087339130198532011-08-12T18:48:00.110+10:002011-08-17T21:01:31.706+10:00Stephen Meddles in Church AffairsAs already noted in previous blog entries Stephen's actions toward the clergy in England had dire consequences for his kingship particularly his treatment of Roger, Bishop of Salisbury in the year 1139. In addition, his appointment of Theobald of Bec as Archbishop of Canterbury caused further ill feeling between the king and his brother, Bishop Henry. We also know that the last few years of Stephen's reign were dominated by his unsuccessful attempts to have his son Eustace crowned his in own lifetime.<br />
<br />
Two letters, one written by Bernard of Clairvaux in about 1140 and one by Pope Eugene III in 1147, provide further evidence of Stephen's sometimes awkward handling of church affairs. Both letters were addressed to his queen, Matilda of Bolougne, and both requested her intervention with the king.<br />
<br />
The first letter concerned the appointment of William Fitzherbert to the See of York. He was a relative of Stephen's and the king had not only suggested his appointment but invested him after an election which was fiercely contested. This caused a long running dispute that continued for six years. During this episode Bernard also wrote a strongly worded letter to Stephen which appears to have gone unheeded.<br />
<br />
The subject of the second letter was in regard to the episcopacy of London. Matilda, The Empress, had selected Robert de Sigillo and he had been canonically elected in 1141. After Stephen had been restored to his position as king he demanded an oath of fealty from Robert which he refused to give. Stephen persecuted him and in his letter the Pope urged the queen to intervene and persuade the king to accept a promise instead of the oath.<br />
<br />
Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-2063237401598086862011-08-10T19:32:00.009+10:002011-08-13T17:04:31.634+10:00Talking about LegaciesOf the two, Stephen's legacy was more obsure, via his daughter Mary (Marie) and his connection to Philippa of Hainault, the wife of Edward III, while Matilda's was direct and obvious, via her son Henry II. After his coronation Matilda continued to act as Regent in Normandy during his absences and Charters were issued in both of their names. For his own part Henry, in addition to all of the lands and titles he already held, managed to gain a foothold in Ireland. How did this happen?<br />
<br />
Although I'm going off on a tangent and diverging from the original intent of the blog somewhat, the events of this period represent an important convergence point in the histories of England, Wales, and Ireland, and I think it's a story worth telling.<br />
<br />
As mentioned in the blog entry <a href="http://history-england-the-anarchy.blogspot.com/2011/01/addendum-stephen-and-welsh.html"> "Stephen and the Welsh"</a>, Henry conducted largely successful campaigns in Wales in 1157, 63, and 65, and the Norman presence was fairly well established despite various rumblings and revolts. And what has this to do with Ireland you ask? Well ...<br />
<br />
Ferns (Fearna) is a small historic town in the north of County Wexford and much of the history of modern Ireland begins here. It was the base of Diarmait Mac Murchada, King of Leinster, who appealed to Henry II of England for aid after he was ousted from his lands by Tairrdelbach mac Ruaidri Ua Conchobair, the High King of Eire, in 1166. Diarmait fled first to Wales and then followed Henry to Aquitaine to seek his support and consent to recruit soldiers. For Henry, who had first given thought to an invasion of Ireland soon after his coronation*, it was an opportunity too good to pass up. He agreed to help Diarmait reassert control in Leinster and eventually made men, knights, and nobles available for this purpose. <br />
<br />
By 1167 Diarmait had obtained the services of Maurice Fitz Gerald and the first Norman knight, Richard Fitz Godbert de Roche, landed in Ireland in that year. In 1168 after several appeals to Rhys ap Gruffydd, the Prince of Deheubarth, Diarmait secured the release Fitz Gerald's half-brother Robert Fitz-Stephen from captivity so that he could also take part in the Irish campaign. Fitz-Stephen helped Diarmait organise a mercenary army of Norman and Welsh soldiers. In something of a coup Diarmait also obtained the support of Richard de Clare, the Earl of Pembroke, nicknamed Strongbow*.<br />
<br />
In May 1169 the main body of Norman and Welsh forces landed in Wexford near Bannow strand. After a two day siege during which all the ships in the town's harbour were burnt, the defenders sent envoys to Diarmait. A bishop (or maybe two) in the town had persuaded them to surrender. The defenders renewed their allegiance to him and the Siege of Wexford was over. <br />
<br />
Not content with this victory Mac Murchada sought vengeance for past ills, assembled an army, and prepared to march towards Dublin. His ambitious plans apparently also included eventually marching on Tara. Over-reaching himself Diarmait lost a battle and had to retreat. Strongbow had not been in the initial invasion force and after appeals from Diarmait, who was facing new threats to his position, he finally arrived in Ireland in August 1170. Within a short time Leinster was settled and Waterford and Dublin were under Diarmait's control. Strongbow’s support came at a price though and in exchange for his loyalty Diarmait offered Richard his daughter Aoife in marriage, to which she agreed, and made him heir to his kingdom.<br />
<br />
Of far greater consequence though was the fact that Diarmait had, by his appeals for help, invited the Normans to invade Ireland. <br />
<br />
Henry II had kept a watchful eye on these events. He grew concerned that Strongbow and his supporters would become independent from him and perhaps even establish of a rival Norman state in Ireland. In 1171 Henry arrived in Leinster with an army in order to establish his authority. He stayed for six months and declared himself Lord of Ireland. During this time many Irish princes and all of the Normans took oaths of homage to him. In 1177 he named his youngest son, John, Lord of Ireland. The domination of Ireland by the English had begun.<br />
<br />
Matilda, The Empress, of course had not lived to see the outcome of her son's ambitions in Ireland but in an interesting footnote she had opposed Henry's original plan. (see notes below)<br />
<br />
Notes:<br />
* Soon after his coronation in 1154 Henry had sent an embassy to Pope Adrian IV led by Bishop Arnold of Lisieux. The group of clerics requested authorisation for Henry to invade Ireland. Some historians suggest that this resulted in the issue of the papal bull Laudabiliter in 1155, although the authenticity of this has been questioned. Henry may have acted under the influence of a plot in which English clerics sought to dominate the Irish church, perhaps he was simply ambitious and greedy for more, or it’s possible that he may have intended to secure Ireland as a lordship for his younger brother William who died soon after the plan was devised. Whatever the case may be, any plans for Ireland that Henry may have had were laid aside at this time.<br />
<br />
* To his contemporaries Richard de Clare, Strongbow, was known as Earl of Striguil<br />
<br />
* Maurice Fitz Gerald had fought at the Battle of Crug Mawr in 1136 (again see the post Stephen and the Welsh for more information)<br />
<br />
* More About Robert Fitz-Stephen:<br />
Robert Fitz-Stephen was the illegitimate son of Stephen, Constable of Cardigan. His mother was Nest ferch Rhys, a Welsh princess of Deheubarth renowned for her beauty. Robert succeeded his father in the office of Custos Campe Aberteifi and first appears in history in 1157. That year Henry II invaded Gwynedd and while the main army faced the forces of Owain east of the River Conwy another force, which included Robert and his half-brother Henry Fitzroy, attacked Anglesey by sea. This force was defeated in battle. Robert was wounded and his half-brother killed. <br />
<br />
Robert pops up again when he was captured by Rhys ap Gruffydd in 1165. He was released after appeals by Diarmait, King of Leinster, the first in 1167 and again in 1168.<br />
<br />
As already mentioned Robert Fitz-Stephen helped organise an army for Diarmait and in May 1169 led the vanguard of Welsh-Norman auxiliaries to Ireland with a force of 30 knights, 60 men-at-arms and 300 archers. Maurice Fitz Gerald landed at the same bay with 10 knights and 60 archers the next day. This force merged with about 500 soldiers commanded by Diarmait. After their victory at the Siege of Wexford, Mac Murchada granted Fitz-Stephen and Fitz Gerald a share in two cantreds, Bargy and Forth. This comprised all the land between Bannow and the town of Wexford.<br />
<br />
From the writing of Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales or Gerald de Barri):<br />
<br />
"Mac Murchard was much delighted and encouraged by the tidings of this new arrival, and calling to mind, with the desire of vengeance, the deep injuries which the people of Dublin had done both to his father and himself, he assembled an army and prepared to march towards Dublin. In the meantime, Fitz-Stephen was building a fort upon a steep rock, commonly called the Karrec, situated about two miles from Wexford, a place strong by nature, but which art made still stronger."<br />
<br />
Robert received a further grant for services rendered in 1177 - the kingdom of Cork from Lismore to the sea with the exception of the city of Cork. This one was made by Henry II and shared jointly with Miles de Cogan. However things did not go quite so smoothly this time. The Irish princes disputed the king's right to dispose of the territory, arguing that they had not resisted the king or committed any act that justified the forfeiture of their lands. Consequently, Fitz-Stephen was nearly overwhelmed by a rising in the Kingdom of Desmond in 1182 and experienced great difficulty in maintaining his position. Philip de Barri, the second son of his half-sister Angharad, came to Ireland in 1185 and together with yet another relative, Raymond FitzGerald (Raymond Le Gros), they recovered the lands and reached a compromise agreement. The barons held seven cantreds near Cork while the remaining twenty four were retained by the Irish princes. Fitz-Stephen would eventually cede these territories to Philip de Barri as he had no living male heirs. The date of his death is uncertain.<br />
<br />
Notes: <br />
Oh, what a tangled web this family weaves!<br />
Henry Fitzroy was the illegitimate son of Nest and King Henry I<br />
Rhys ap Gruffydd was the nephew of Robert’s mother Nest<br />
Nest was also the mother of Maurice and Angharad<br />
Robert de Barri was present at the Siege of Wexford. He was the eldest son of Robert’s half-sister Angharad<br />
Miles de Cogan was the son of Robert’s half-sister Gwladys<br />
<br />
<br />
Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-56940904286252556132011-02-06T12:39:00.001+11:002011-08-10T20:05:53.821+10:00M'Lord's TriviaA quick look at some King Stephen trivia ~ Did you know?<br />
<br />
• Some of the castles besieged by Stephen include Exeter, Shrewsbury, Dudley, Ludlow, Wallingford, Arundel, Corfe, Leeds, Lincoln, Oxford, Faringdon, Pevensey, Worcester, and Newbury.<br />
<br />
• When Stephen had Roger of Salisbury and his nephews arrested in 1139 among the castles he seized were Devizes, Sherborne, Newark, and Sleaford.<br />
<br />
• In addition to Faversham Abbey where they were buried, King Stephen and his Queen, Matilda, founded Coggeshall Abbey, which was situated south of the town of Coggeshall in Essex, in 1140. They were also supporters of the Templars.<br />
<br />
• Stephen's adherents at the Battle of Lincoln included William of Ypres, William de Warenne the 3rd Earl of Surrey, Alain de Dinan, Gilbert de Clare, Baldwin de Clare, Richard Fitz-Urse, and Ilbert de Lacy. William of Ypres was the illegitimate son of Philip of Loo who was a younger son of Robert I, Count of Flanders. Alain de Dinan married Eléonore, the daughter of Stephen, Count of Tréguier and Lord of Richmond who was the younger son of Eudes, Count of Penthièvre. William de Warenne, 3rd Earl of Surrey joined the Crusades in 1146 and was killed in battle on his way to the Holy Land. His daughter Isabel married Stephen's youngest son William of Blois who became the 4th Earl of Surrey.<br />
<br />
• Stephen built Brightwell Castle near Wallingford in 1145. It is thought that his brother Henry, Bishop of Winchester held a manor there and that this castle was intended as both protection for the estate and as a counter to Wallingford castle which was held by Brian Fitzcount for the Empress Matilda. The castle was destroyed by Henry of Anjou in 1153.<br />
<br />
• In 1153 Stephen appointed Richard de Lucy Constable of the Tower in London. Richard was subsequently made Chief Justiciar of England jointly with Robert de Beaumont when Henry II became king in 1154.<br />
<br />
• Stephen fathered at least 3 and possibly 5 illegitimate children, one of whom was Gervase, Abbot of Westminster 1138 - c.1157. Prior to his marriage Stephen had been associated with a woman named Dameta who is described as a gentlewoman of Normandy.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-5911446736795782952011-02-03T19:59:00.000+11:002011-02-03T19:59:44.662+11:00Stephen's AdministrationThe information in this blog to date has mainly followed the conventional, widely accepted story of the reign of King Stephen. However, at this point I would like to pose a question: Can it be said with any great authority that the administration of the English realm entirely disintegrated during the years 1135-54? It can't be disputed that Stephen did make mistakes at times in his dealings with the clergy, barons, and important people such as King David of Scotland and indeed with Matilda, The Empress. The chronicle writers certainly indicate that Stephen's authority was severely eroded during the course of his reign. A commendable person with charm and many good qualities but perhaps not suitable for the harsh, ruthless reality of kingship. However, is there sufficient evidence which emphatically proves that the problems Stephen encountered led to a complete breakdown in administration? The absence of Pipe Rolls for the years 1131-54 is worth noting but cannot be taken as conclusive evidence that it did, so what do we know?<br />
<br />
What else can we discern from those learned clerics, the chronicle writers on whom we rely so heavily for crucial information? Is there evidence of prejudice and the imposition of personal beliefs and opinion (or those of their benefactors) and second hand information to be found among their writing? Do their assessments of Stephen’s reign present as fair and balanced? For example ~<br />
• from the Peterborough Chronicle: <em>"When the traitors understood that he was a gentle man, and soft and good, and did not execute justice, they committed all manner of atrocity."</em><br />
• from a chronicler writing under the patronage of Robert of Gloucester: <em>"By his good nature and by the way he jested and enjoyed himself even in the company of his inferiors Stephen earned an affection that can hardly be described."</em><br />
<br />
Diplomatic relations: Stephen enjoyed good relations not only with his brother Theobald of Blois and Chartres as could be expected but also in the early years of his reign with the French King Louis VI. How much was this due to their self interest? However, relations with France did eventually become more difficult during the reign of Louis VII due to the circumstances of the time. In Normandy Waleran, Count of Meulan, was given the task of overseeing matters and there was no immediate revolt against Stephen's kingship (nor in England for that matter). Indeed, Geoffrey of Anjou did not stamp his authority on the duchy until 1144. Ultimately however, it could be argued that perhaps Stephen's one and only visit to Normandy in 1137 was insufficient to keep the loyalty and confidence of the barons indefinitely especially those who held no great estates in Britain. Stephen's enduring popularity with the people of London in particular can partly be explained by the question of trade. It was in the interests of the traders of London to support the King, given his status as Count of Boulogne by right of his wife put Stephen in a commanding position to dominate/control cross-channel trade via the port of Wissant. The clergy and monastic life also continued to flourish in the years 1135-54 and contact, for good or ill, was maintained with the Popes installed in Rome during the course of Stephen's reign. It is also true however that Stephen didn't always get it right, for example, in his treatment of Roger of Salisbury in 1139.<br />
<br />
Matters of the Realm: Stephen covered vast amounts of territory in his defence and administration of the English realm and even during times of siege and warfare received various missives about church and state matters to which he was able to effectively respond. In addition, when a situation required such action, he did not hesitate to press a siege or shirk from battle. He was able to contain the Empress, Robert of Gloucester, and their supporters primarily in the southwest of England, and after his release from imprisonment in November 1141 he was still acceptable enough to the barons to be able to resume his kingship unopposed. In addition, there were barons, such as William d'Aubigny and Simon de Senlis (Simon II of St Liz) for example, who remained loyal to Stephen throughout his reign.<br />
<br />
The number of surviving Charters issued, approximately 720, is not insufficient for a reign of nineteen years duration, and the details of the events of 1135-54 indicate willingness on Stephen's part to negotiate and settle disputes. On the other hand a number of historians point out instances of Stephen making apparently arbitrary decisions which later gave him cause for regret. The issue of coins, although debased at one point, continued throughout Stephen's reign and the last issue continued to be in circulation until 1158. In summary, despite the civil war and the erosion of Stephen's authority, it would seem that the chancery continued to function, royal justice continued to be dispensed in the shires in many instances, and exchequer sessions continued to be held.<br />
<br />
I'll leave the reader to ponder these matters and perhaps draw their own conclusions.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-91308230876950281922011-01-13T23:23:00.003+11:002011-02-06T12:48:50.442+11:00Stephen and the WelshIn the eleventh and twelfth centuries violent feuds between the various Welsh princes often spilled into the Welsh Marches, an area along the border between England and Wales. Military campaigns into Welsh territory were also waged by the Marcher lords and the Anglo-Norman kings. Indeed, William the Conqueror exacted a tribute and fealty from the rebellious Rhys ap Tewdwr in 1081, William Rufus invaded twice in 1097, and Henry I successfully subdued the Welsh in 1114 and 1121.<br />
<br />
What of King Stephen?<br />
<br />
By and large it can be safely said that Stephen had his hands full dealing with the civil war and his unruly barons for most of his nineteen year reign. In 1146 Ranulf, Earl of Chester suggested a Welsh campaign to Stephen but his advisors were opposed to such a move and any plans that he may have been considering were called off at their insistence. That is not to say however that military matters in Wales were in a state of complete suspension during the years 1135-54.<br />
<br />
Owain ap Gruffydd was one Welsh prince who seized the opportunity to take advantage of the disputes in England between King Stephen, David of Scotland, his barons, and the eventual civil war with the forces of the Empress Matilda. It is thought that Owain was born in approximately 1095 on Anglesey. He and his brothers Cadwallon and Cadwaladr successfully led the forces of Gwynedd against the Normans. Although the elder brother, Cadwallon, was killed in battle against the forces of Powys in 1132, Owain and Cadwaladr, in alliance with Gruffydd ap Rhys of Deheubarth, won a major victory over the Normans at Crug Mawr near Ceredigion in 1136. The castle of Mold was captured in 1146 and Rhuddlan in about 1150.<br />
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In a nutshell? Although Normans who held baronial lands in Wales certainly did fight staunchly to hang on to them, and Stephen did besiege several castles within the vicinity of the Marches during his battles against his enemies forces, it appears that Stephen himself played no active part in any campaigns to further English interests in Wales. It was basically left to his successor, Henry II, to (rightly or wrongly) reassert English control in his Welsh campaigns of 1157, 1163, and 1165.<br />
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<strong><u>The Story of Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd</u></strong><br />
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Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd is best known for her patriotic revolt and death in a battle near Kidwelly Castle in 1136. She was the daughter of Gruffydd ap Cynan, Prince of Gwynedd and Angharad ferch Owain. The youngest of eight children, she was born in 1097 at Anglesey. In 1113 Gruffydd ap Rhys, the Prince of Deheubarth, visited her father and the result of this meeting had an unforeseen outcome - Gwenllian and Rhys eloped. However the story isn't as romantic as it first sounds. Deheubarth was struggling against the Norman invasion of south Wales, and although she joined her husband at his family seat Dinefwr, they were often absent leading retaliatory strikes against Norman held positions, which included harassing the population settlements of the invaders and taking hold of their wealth and possessions which was then handed back to the dispossessed Welsh.<br />
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In 1136 Hywel ap Maredudd, Lord of Brycheiniog, seized on the distractions in England, gathered his army, and defeated the Norman forces in the Battle of Llwchwr. Apparently inspired by Hywel's success, Gruffydd ap Rhys journeyed to Gwynedd to meet with Gwenllian's father in the hope of forging an alliance with Gruffudd ap Cynan against the Normans. It was during his absence that Maurice of London led Norman raids against Deheubarth which compelled Gwenllian to raise an army for its defence.<br />
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The battle was fought in a field near Kidwelly Castle in Gwent, and by its end Gwenllian's army had been routed. One of her sons, Morgan, was slain and another, Maelgwyn, captured and executed. Her own fate was to be captured and beheaded - a heroic but tragic end to the romance that began her marriage to Rhys. Gwenllian's death wasn’t to be the end of it however. Her brothers Owain and Cadwaladr invaded Ceredigion and took Llanfihangel, Aberystwyth, and Llanbadarn. Iowerth ab Owain of Gwent ambushed and killed Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare, the Norman lord who controlled Ceredigion. By late September 1136 the combined forces of Gwynedd, Deheubarth, and Powys had gathered in Ceredigion, and in the Battle of Crug Mawr inflicted a resounding defeat on the Norman army.<br />
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In the field near Kidwelly, known as Maes Gwenllian (Field of Gwenllian), a spring which is said to have welled up on the spot where she was beheaded is named after her.<br />
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Her defence of Deheubarth is the only known record of a woman from the medieval period leading a Welsh army into battle.<br />
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Reference points for further reading:<br />
The Aberffraw Resistance<br />
The Norman Invasion of Wales<br />
Welsh Marches<br />
The Marcher Lords<br />
History of Kidwelly CastleAelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-19443158778007363192010-11-05T19:58:00.009+11:002011-01-13T23:16:30.982+11:00Extract: The Ecclesiastical History of England and Normandy<b>• Orderic Vitalis: Account of the Battle of Lincoln 1141</b><br />
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In the year of our Lord 1141, the fourth indiction, there were grievous troubles in England, and great changes occurred, to the serious loss of many persons. Then it was that Ranulf, earl of Chester, and his half-brother William de Roumare, revolted against King Stephen, and surprised the fortress which he had at Lincoln for the defence of the city. Cautiously choosing a time when the garrison of the tower were dispersed abroad and engaged in sports, they sent their wives before them to the castle, under pretence of their taking some amusement. While, however, the two countesses stayed there talking and joking with the wife of the knight whose duty it was to defend the tower, the earl of Chester came in, without his armour or even his mantle, apparently to fetch back his wife, attended by three soldiers, no one suspecting any fraud. Having thus gained an entrance, they quickly laid hold of the bars and such weapons as were at hand, and forcibly ejected the king's guard. They then let in Earl William and his men-at-arms, as it had been planned before, and in this way the two brothers got possession of the tower and the whole city.<br />
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Bishop Alexander and the citizens sent intelligence of this occurrence to the king, who became greatly enraged at it, and was much astonished that two of his dearest friends, on whom he had lavished honours and dignities, should have acted so basely. In consequence, after Christmas, he assembled an army, and marching directly to Lincoln, took by a night surprise about seventeen men-at-arms who lay in the town, the citizens giving him their help. The two earls had shut themselves up in the castle, with their wives and most intimate friends; and finding the place suddenly invested on all sides, became very anxious, not knowing what to do.<br />
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At last, Ranulf, who being the youngest was the most active and venturesome, crept out by night with a few horsemen, and made for the county of Chester, among his own vassals. He then announced his quarrel with the king to Robert, earl of Gloucester, his father-in-law, and others his friends and relations, and raising the Welsh, with the disinherited and many others, in arms against the king, gathered forces in every quarter to enable him to bring relief to the besieged. He also sought a special interview with Matilda, countess of Anjou, and pledging his fealty to her, earnestly entreated her aid, which was most graciously granted.<br />
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The two earls, having assembled a vast body of men under arms, marched towards the besieged place, and were prepared to give battle if any resistance was offered. But the king slighted the reports which he daily received of the enemy's advance, and could not be persuaded that they were capable of, or would venture on, such an enterprise. Meanwhile, he constructed engines and prepared for the assault of the besieged, who implored his mercy. At length, on Sexagesirria Sunday, while they were celebrating the feast of the Purification, the king in person having ascertained that the enemy was near, he called together his great lords and asked for their counsel under present circumstances. Some were of opinion that he should leave a large body of troops with the loyal citizens to defend the town, while he should march out with all honour and levy an army from every part of England; with which he should return, when opportunity offered, and reduce the castle by storm with royal severity. Others recommended him to show due reverence to the feast of the Purification of St. Mary, mother of God, and by an exchange of messages with a view to terms of peace defer the engagement; that through this delay neither party might be utterly prostrated, and human blood might not be shed to the sorrow of multitudes. However, the obstinate prince disdained to listen to these prudent counsels, and thought it dishonourable to defer the engagement for any considerations: he, therefore, gave orders for his troops to arm for battle. The armies met near the city, and being drawn up in order on both sides, battle was joined.<br />
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The king divided his army into three bodies, and the same order was observed on the other side. The front rank of the royal army was composed of Flemings and Bretons, under the command of William d'Ypres and Alain de Dinan. Opposed to them were a wild band of Welshmen, under their chiefs Meredith and Kaladrius. The king himself, with some of his men-at-arms, dismounted, and fought on foot with great resolution for his life and kingdom. In like manner, Ranulf, earl of Chester, with his cavalry, also dismounted, and encouraged the bold infantry of Chester to the work of slaughter. As for Robert, earl of Gloucester, who bore the most distinguished part in this expedition, he commanded that the men of Bath, and other disinherited gentlemen, should have the honour of striking the first blow for the recovery of their inheritances.<br />
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At first, the battle was fought on both sides with great desperation, and there was much effusion of human blood. The best knights and men-at-arms were in the king's army; but the enemy outnumbered them in infantry and the Welsh levies. It is certain that William d' Ypres with his Flemings, and Alain with his Bretons, were the first to give way; thereby emboldening the enemy, and spreading panic in the ranks of their confederates. This engagement was disgracefully distinguished by the most scandalous treachery; for some of the great lords, with a few of their retainers, accompanied the king, while they sent the great body of their vassals to secure the victory to his adversaries. Thus they deceived their lord, and may justly be considered as perjured men and traitors. Count Waleran and his brother William de Warrenne, with Gilbert de Clare, and other knights of high renown, both Norman and English, as soon as they saw the first rank routed, turned their backs and fled in alarm for their own safety. On the other hand, Baldwin de Clare, Richard Fitz-Urse, Engelran de Sai, and Ilbert de Lacy, stuck closely to the king during the battle, and fought stoutly by his side till the day was lost.<br />
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As for King Stephen, mindful of the brave deeds of his ancestors, he fought with great courage; and as long as three of his soldiers stood by him, he never ceased dealing heavy blows with his sword and a Norwegian battle-axe, with which some youth had supplied him. At last, worn out with fatigue and deserted by all, he surrendered to Earl Robert, his cousin; and being made prisoner, was by him soon afterwards presented to the Countess Matilda. Thus, by a turn of the wheel of fortune, King Stephen was hurled from his throne, and, alas! incarcerated in the important fortress of Bristol in anguish and misery. Baldwin de Clare and the other brave young soldiers, who dismounted with the king and fought gallantly, as I have just said, were made prisoners.<br />
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The night before, while the people of God were keeping the eve of the feast dedicated to the honour of the Virgin Mother, and waited for matins, when a high mass was to be celebrated according to the rites of the church, a great storm of hail and rain fell in the western parts, that is, in France and Britain, and terrible claps of thunder were heard, accompanied by vivid flashes of lightning.<br />
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On the very day of the battle, while the king was hearing mass before the engagement, and his mind was agitated, if I mistake not, by anxious care and thought, the consecrated wax-taper broke in his hand, and fell thrice to the ground in the presence of many witnesses. This was remarked by some judicious persons to be a manifest token of evil to come; and the fall of the prince on the same day clearly explained the omen. The king's disaster filled with grief the clergy and monks and the common people; because he was condescending and courteous to those who were good and quiet, and, if his treacherous nobles had allowed it, he would have put an end to their nefarious enterprises, and been a generous protector and benevolent friend of the country.<br />
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The townsmen of Lincoln who had taken the king's side, as they were bound to do, he being also the lord of the place, finding that the enemy had obtained a complete victory, abandoned their wives and houses and all that they possessed, and fled to the neighbouring river, intending to save themselves by becoming exiles. Rushing in great crowds to the boats, in their haste they so overcrowded them with their numbers, losing all order and self-possession in the imminent fear of death, and those who came latest jumping in upon those who were first, that the boats were upset in a moment, and nearly all who were embarked (some say as many as five hundred of the principal citizens) perished. William, a famous soldier and nephew of Geoffrey, archbishop of Rouen, fell on the king's side. Of the others, as those report who were present, not more than a hundred were slain.<br />
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Count Ranulf and his victorious comrades entered the city, and pillaged every quarter of it like barbarians. As for the citizens who remained, they butchered like cattle all whom they found and could lay hands on, putting them to death in various ways without the slightest pity.<br />
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After this battle and the capture of the king, a great division arose in England. Henry, bishop of Winchester, immediately joined the party of the Angevins; and receiving the countess with respect in the royal city, entirely deserted his brother, the king, and all who were on his side. Earl Waleran, William de Warrenne, Simon, and several other lords adhered to the queen, and pledged themselves to fight resolutely for the king and his heirs. Thus the mischief spread on all sides, and England, which formerly overflowed with wealth, was now miserably desolated, and abandoned to rapine, fire, and slaughter.<br />
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<div style="font-size: 11px;">~ Historia Ecclesiastica by Orderic Vitalis</div>Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-40188466101636219302010-11-01T20:35:00.029+11:002011-01-16T12:44:40.226+11:00Extract: The Ecclesiastical History of England and Normandy<b>Ch. XLI. The Countess Matilda and Robert, Earl of Gloucester land at Arundel and proceed to Bristol</b><br />
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In the autumn, Matilda, countess of Anjou, crossed the sea to England, with her brother Robert of Caen, Guy de Sable, and several others; and being well received at Arundel, she obtained leave from the king to pass without interruption to the castles which belonged to her partisans. It may be remarked that this permission given by the king was a sign of great simplicity or carelessness, and prudent men regret that he was regardless of his own welfare and the kingdom's security. It was in his power at this time to have easily stifled a flame which threatened great mischief, if, with a policy becoming the wise, he had at once driven away the wolf from the entrance of the fold, and, for the safety of the flock, nipped the growth of malignancy in the bud, and, like his fathers, crushed the deadly efforts of those whose enterprise threatened the country with pillage, slaughter, and depopulation, by smiting them with the sword of justice.<br />
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<div style="font-size: 11px;">~ Historia Ecclesiastica by Orderic Vitalis</div>Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-50039462699594398132010-10-29T20:12:00.020+11:002011-01-13T23:13:26.802+11:00Document: Letter of Pope Innocent II<b>• Letter of Pope Innocent II Confirming Stephen in his Kingship - 1136</b><br />
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Innocent the Bishop, servant of the servants of God, to his most beloved in Christ, Stephen, illustrious King of England, Greeting and apostolic blessing. The king of kings and lord of lords, in whose hands reside all power and the disposal of all realms, has of divine provision, when he wishes, the mystical power to transform circumstances and successions. As the prophet says: 'The Most High is sovereign in the kingdom of men; he gives the kingdom to whom he wills.' When our son of glorious memory King Henry ruled trade, a happy peace, and real justice flourished in both England and Normandy - King Henry, who excelled all in the integrity which he applied to the affairs of world. When this man - a friend to those of the church, a promoter of peace and justice, a steady protector of widows and orphans and a dutiful defender of those who were too weak to protect themselves - when he was taken from among us, as was reported to us, the affairs of the church were put into confusion in England; no royal writ was respected; and thievery went unpunished. So that such terrible disorder should not have a chance to increase its grip on God's people, England was moved by the mercy of divine pity at the prayers of godly men, as well as by the increase of such disorders, to choose you as king by the people's acclaim and the general agreement of noblemen and commoners, and so to be consecrated by the Bishops of the realm. This I have learned through several means: the letters of our venerable brothers the Archbishops and Bishops of England and Normandy, and of those lovers of the Holy Roman Church, the glorious King of France and that noble Lord, Count Theobald, as well also by the investigation of our agents. Since we appreciate the trust of such men in your good character, moved by God's grace, we have agreed to this. This we have done because of certain future considerations, as well as because you promised obedience and reverence to St Peter on the day of your consecration, and because you are acknowledged to have been a very close relation of the late King. Now we, acknowledging your thanks, receive you into the special fatherly love of St Peter and the Holy Roman Church, and we wish most sincerely to hold you in that same pre-eminence of honour and love in which your predecessor the late King Henry was crowned by us.<br />
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<div style="font-size: 11px;">~ from Richard of Hexham, De Gestis Regis Stephani, Chronicles of the Reigns of Stephen, Henry II, and Richard.</div>Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-33095798794978153992010-08-28T22:01:00.006+10:002010-10-31T10:52:13.508+11:00The Anarchy ~ Postscript: A Last Word on Stephen• Postscript: A Last Word on Stephen and Contemporary Sources<br /><br />The Peterborough Chronicle:<br /><br /><em>"Þa the suikes undergæton ðat he milde man was and softe and god, and na iustise ne dide, þa diden hi alle wunder"</em><br /> <br />"When the traitors understood that he was a gentle man, and soft and good, and did not execute justice, they committed all manner of atrocity."<br /><br /><em>"æuric rice man his castles makede and agænes him heolden; and fylden þe land ful of castles. Hi suencten suyðe þe uurecce men of þe land mid castelweorces; þa þe castles uuaren maked, þa fylden hi mid deoules and yuele men. Þa namen hi þa men þe hi wendan ðat ani god hefden, bathe be nihtes and be dæies, carlmen and wimmen, and diden heom in prisun and pined heom efter gold and syluer untellendlice pining; for ne uuaeren naeure nan martyrs swa pined alse hi waeron."</em><br /><br />"Every chieftain made castles and held them against the king; and they filled the land full of castles. They viciously oppressed the poor men of the land with castle building work; when the castles were made, then they filled the land with devils and evil men. Then they seized those who had any goods, both by night and day, working men and women, and threw them into prison and tortured them for gold and silver with uncountable tortures, for never was there a martyr so tortured as these men were." <br /><br />The chronicler writes that people said openly that Christ slept, along with His saints; this — and more than we can say — we suffered 19 winters for our sins.<br /><br />The Gesta Stephani:<br />Authorship of Gesta Stephani is uncertain, possibly written by Robert, Bishop of Bath.<br />• <a href="http://www.archive.org/stream/gestastephanire01sewegoog#page/n6/mode/1up"> Gesta Stephani Online</a><br /><br />The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle:<br />• <a href="http://omacl.org/Anglo/"> The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle</a><br /><br />Henry of Huntingdon:<br />• <a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/henry-hunt1.html"> Henry of Huntingdon</a><br /><br />William of Newburgh:<br />• <a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/williamofnewburgh-intro.html"> William of Newburgh</a><br /><br />Miscellanea: Number of Surviving Charters<br />Stephen - 720<br />Matilda - 88<br /><br />From a chronicler who wrote under the patronage of Robert of Gloucester:<br /><br /><em>"By his good nature and by the way he jested and enjoyed himself even in the company of his inferiors Stephen earned an affection that can hardly be described."</em><br /><br />History writes that Stephen was an affable, easygoing and popular man who was a competent commander and a brave, chivalrous knight. However he lacked the judgement, skills, and ruthlessness needed to be an effective ruler, to control his barons and ensure their loyalty. Many illegal castles were built during his reign and private armies were recruited which enabled unruly barons to wage war on one another. It was the ordinary people who suffered when towns were looted and burnt and crops and livestock destroyed. Fortunately however, England and her people of course survived and recovered from the deeds of both Stephen and Matilda, The Empress, and went on to be ruled by Henry II, credited in the history books as one of England's most impressive kings.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-35387582087461227252010-08-27T19:54:00.008+10:002010-11-09T19:01:40.161+11:00The Anarchy ~ Postscript: A Last Word on Matilda• Postscript: A Last Word on Matilda, The Empress, Lady of the English <br /> <br />It seems historians haven't always been overly kind to Matilda, more often than not portraying her as imperious, haughty, and demanding. Her supposedly high handed treatment of the London citizenry during those brief few months when the crown of England was within her grasp after the capture of Stephen in the Battle of Lincoln in February 1141 is almost always held up as an example of her 'stubborn, wilful behaviour'. Admittedly it probably wasn't a smart move to anger them since Stephen had always been popular with the Londoners and perhaps she and her supporters underestimated the Queen's ability to muster support to Stephen's cause.<br /><br />It is logical to assume that her first marriage to Emperor Henry V not only elevated her to a high position but would have taught her much about rulership during her formative years. In addition, it seems natural that as Henry I's only surviving legitimate child, but more importantly as his declared heir, she would have had certain expectations to rule England and pass the crown onto her own heir Henry II. Conversely, perhaps the early elevation to high status during her first marriage (she was only approximately 9 years old when she was sent to Germany and 21-23 years old at the Emperor's death in 1125) helped cultivate the haughtiness that the chroniclers accuse her of. Suffice to say this is just speculation on my part. Whatever the case, imperious and demanding is the default image of Matilda that writers have passed down to posterity.<br /><br />However, that she fought courageously alongside her half brother and mainstay Robert of Gloucester for her inheritance and in her later years as Regent in Normandy for her son Henry II during his absences she showed great administrative skill and just decision making, makes me wonder how well she may have ruled England if she had been given the chance.<br /><br />As history writes, Stephen claimed the throne basically by popular election and usurpation in a rare show of decisiveness and opportunism in the weeks after Henry I's death in Normandy in December 1135. It was made possible by the barons and clergy of England because of their distaste both for a female ruler and the fact that Matilda was married to the Count of Anjou. They were unable to see that Henry's farsightedness in marrying Matilda in 1127/1128 to an enemy, as Anjou was at the time, actually formed a bulwark against France. <br /><br />Matilda not only enjoyed the support of Robert of Gloucester and Reginald of Cornwall. Other notable barons such as Brian (Brien) Fitzcount, the illegitimate son of the Count of Brittany and another of Henry I's favourites, and Robert D'Oyly the younger and Miles of Gloucester loyally supported her cause. King David of Scotland stood by her claim. Even Abbot Henry, Stephen's younger brother, briefly changed his alliance to her when he thought he was on the winning side.<br /><br />Aside from the dreadful living conditions and destruction that 'The Anarchy' created for the ordinary people of England, which in any case was just as much Stephen's doing if not more so due to his inability to control his unruly barons, I find it difficult to think poorly of Matilda. In a way her decision to fight for her rightful inheritance paved the way for her son Henry to be finally named heir in the treaty of 1153, which was signed roughly 12 months before Stephen's death in 1154.<br /><br />Matilda, The Empress, daughter of Henry I, died in September 1167 in Rouen. Some sources state she was buried at Fontevrault Abbey while others give her burial place as the Abbey of Bec. In the mid 1800's her remains were apparently moved to Rouen Cathedral. It is possible that her entrails were buried in her father's foundation abbey in Reading.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-982884191269582112010-08-24T22:15:00.004+10:002010-11-06T22:48:55.238+11:00The Anarchy ~ 1153 - 1154• 1153 and 1154: Treaty and Death Comes <br /> <br />Henry returned to England in January 1153, his own situation much changed. He was now Duke of Normandy and Count of Anjou, Touraine, and Maine, and in the right of his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, ruler of the duchy of Aquitaine, and a skilled military tactician. Both clergy and barons alike seem to have accepted that peace would only come if Henry was recognised as Stephen's heir, even if Stephen himself didn't quite see it that way. The challenge was to convince the King. This task was made unexpectedly simple when Eustace suddenly died in August 1153 while he was pillaging church lands in Bury St Edmunds. Stephen's younger son, William, had not expected to be king and the way for negotiations had now been opened. In the Treaty of Wallingford it was agreed that Stephen would remain king until his death, William was to inherit all of his baronial lands, and Henry would be nominated (adopted) as Stephen's son and heir, effectively ending the dispute over the English throne and subsequent civil war.<br /><br />Some credit is also due to William d'Aubigny, 1st Earl of Arundel. Stephen had built counter castles near Wallingford in order to attack Brian Fitzcount, one of Matilda's key supporters, at Wallingford Castle. Henry had determined to launch attacks on Stephen's fortifications and a battle had been expected. William successfully argued that further fighting was futile and a truce was reached on the banks of the Thames which infuriated Eustace as he was opposed to a settlement. After his death it appears that the more formal agreement was written in November 1153 and signed in Westminster.<br /><br />When Stephen died in October 1154 Henry wasn't immediately required to rush straight from Normandy to London for his coronation. Among Henry's first actions as King was to the demolish all of the unlicensed castles built in King Stephen's time. He also rewarded Wallingford for its loyalty and assistance by the issue of its royal charter in 1155.<br /><br />King Stephen died on 25th October 1154 at Dover and was buried alongside his wife, Matilda of Boulogne, and their son Eustace in their foundation church, Faversham Abbey in Kent. Today next to nothing remains of the church. Like many others it suffered during Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.<br /><br />• The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: <a href="http://omacl.org/Anglo/part7.html"> The Years 1102-1154</a>Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-36001376323560393672010-08-20T22:19:00.003+10:002010-08-20T22:31:07.975+10:00The Anarchy ~ 1142 - 1149• Matilda's Escape and Henry of Anjou<br /><br />In June 1142 Robert crossed from Wareham to Normandy to discuss matters with Geoffrey of Anjou. However, Geoffrey was still committed to the fight in Normandy and declined to supply the troops and resources Robert sorely needed. Surprisingly though, he did allow Robert to return to England in October with Henry, he and Matilda's eldest son.<br /><br />In the meantime Stephen had taken advantage of Robert's absence and had, after a rather skilful diversionary tactic, besieged Matilda at Oxford Castle which was held by Robert D'Oyly who was the son of Nigel D'Oyly. He appeared determined not to let her escape this time and pressed the siege relentlessly. However, in a move that has become legendary, Matilda escaped after being lowered by rope from the castle walls at night. With four companions, all of them wrapped in white cloaks to disguise themselves against the snow, she escaped to Wallingford which was held by Brian Fitzcount.<br /><br />Robert continued the struggle and Stephen slowly to pushed towards Robert's strongholds in Bristol and Gloucester, although the chance of either side gaining overall victory were slim. Matilda lost one of her supporters when Miles of Gloucester was killed in a hunting accident in 1143. At the end of 1145 Robert suffered a major blow when his son Philip changed his allegiance to Stephen. Philip took with him the strategic castles of Cricklade and Cirencester. Robert realised Gloucester and Bristol were under threat and in 1146 he opened negotiations which, given his unsuccessful attack on Farnham in Surrey in 1147, must have proven fruitless. It was when he returned to Bristol to gather new forces that he became ill and died on 31 October 1147.<br /><br />At this point Matilda appears to have become disheartened and she returned to Anjou and Normandy, leaving the struggle to be taken up by her son Henry. However, unrest would continue throughout the remainder of Stephen's reign.<br /><br />In 1149 Henry arrived in England with a small force but lacked the resources to change the situation. Oddly, it seems Stephen apparently met with Henry and gave him the necessary aid to return to Normandy after he had been refused assistance by his own supporters.<br /><br />The last few years of Stephen's reign were dominated by his attempts to have his son Eustace crowned his in own lifetime. The clergy, particularly Theobald of Bec, the Archbishop of Canterbury, had stubbornly refused. He was prepared to recognise Stephen as king but it would seem he had no desire to prolong the civil war which surely would have continued on. In this decision Theobald had Papal backing, so he refused to grant Stephen's request.<br /><br />• The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: <a href="http://omacl.org/Anglo/part7.html"> The Years 1102-1154</a>Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-87910595488112736172010-08-17T19:28:00.004+10:002010-10-29T21:05:39.840+11:00The Anarchy ~ 1141: The Aftermath• The Aftermath: Matilda's Flight from London; The Rout of Winchester<br /><br />With the King now captive in Bristol, the opportunity for Matilda to secure the throne had come and events moved quickly.<br /><br />Firstly Robert and Matilda secured the backing of Henry, Bishop of Winchester and now Papal Legate, Stephen's brother, and Theobald of Bec, the Archbishop of Canterbury. In addition she also had the support of other notable barons such as Brian (Brien) Fitzcount, the illegitimate son of the Count of Brittany, and Miles of Gloucester. King David of Scotland had also stood by her claim and made an appearance by her side in London.<br /><br />It was here that it all went wrong. The Londoners were never particularly supportive at any rate, but Matilda apparently angered them with her demands and high handed treatment. When Stephen's wife, Matilda of Boulogne, rallied the king's supporters and raised an army with the help of William of Ypres and advanced on London, the Londoners took up arms. They besieged the Empress and her supporters were forced to flee to Oxford Castle on 24th June. Matilda, who had styled herself Lady of the English, was never crowned.<br /><br />Further misjudgements, military routs, and misfortune followed. Henry, who as always seemed adept at reading the winds of change, opportunely switched his allegiance back to Stephen, and with a small force laid siege to Winchester castle. On 31st July a substantial army commanded by Robert arrived in Winchester. Henry and his men fled to Wolvesey castle which was in the southeast corner of the town, and it was promptly put under siege. On August 2, the bishop's men set fire to the city which destroyed a large portion of it.<br /><br />Meanwhile Matilda of Boulogne had assembled a well provisioned army which included mercenaries hired by Henry, the mercenary cavalry of William of Ypres, a nearly 1,000 strong London militia, and a levy of the Queen's feudal tenants from Boulogne. The intention was to blockade Matilda's forces in the city and it was a tactic which proved to be very successful. Robert's forces soon began to suffer from lack of food and in an attempt to weaken the blockade Robert attempted to fortify Wherwell Abbey, six miles to the north of the city, but William of Ypres defeated them with heavy losses.<br /><br />Now convinced that he must retreat from Winchester Robert planned their withdrawal. Brian Fitzcount and Reginald, Earl of Cornwall led an advance guard which protected Matilda. The main body and the baggage followed, with Robert commanding the rear guard. On 14 September 1141 they left the city and it was while Robert was fighting a rearguard action against the forces of Matilda of Boulogne at the river crossing of Stockbridge that he was captured. Robert's actions had allowed his half sister to escape but Robert was imprisoned for two months at Rochester Castle.<br /><br />Henry and Matilda's successful defence of Winchester proved to be a crucial turning point in the civil war. With events once again at a stalemate, there was but little choice for both parties to agree to an exchange of prisoners, Stephen for Robert. The exchange took place on 1st November 1141 at Winchester.<br /><br />Stephen once more took up his duties as King and retained his position until his death. The war continued but it soon become obvious that neither side were in a winning position.<br /><br />• The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: <a href="http://omacl.org/Anglo/part7.html"> The Years 1102-1154</a><br /><br />Notes: During the years 1142-44, in a further distraction and destabilisation of his kingship, Stephen was also called upon to deal with the rebellious activities of Geoffrey de Mandeville. He was another baron who switched sides at will. Stephen had made him Earl of Essex in late 1139 or during 1140 and then in 1141 appointed him custodian of the White Tower in London. He, like many barons, supported Matilda after Stephen's defeat at the Battle of Lincoln and she reconfirmed his possessions and granted him the Norman lands of his paternal grandfather, Eudo de Rie (Dapifer), and appointed him sheriff of Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and London. After Stephen's release he turned his support back to the King but it must have been short lived because he rebelled and Stephen confiscated his castles in 1143. During 1143 and 1144 Geoffrey set up his headquarters in the fen country of East Anglia and used the Isle of Ely and Ramsey Abbey as a base for his rebel operations. From this position it was difficult for Stephen to effectively contain Geoffrey's activities, although he was eventually besieged by Stephen. Geoffrey died in September 1144, the result of an arrow wound he had received in a skirmish while attacking Burwell Castle in August 1144.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-13637661774656893252010-08-12T18:02:00.007+10:002011-02-06T13:47:15.632+11:00The Anarchy ~ 1141: The Battle of Lincoln• 1141: The Battle of Lincoln<br />
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<b>Excerpt from Gesta Stephani:</b><br />
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Then when a very long time had passed and the earl obeyed the king no more loyally than usual and staying at the castle of Lincoln with his wife and sons issued harsh orders to the townsmen and the people of the neighbourhood, the townsmen privately and secretly sent messages to the king, urging him again and again, in very earnest terms, to come as quickly as possible with reinforcements to besiege the earl. The king, arriving suddenly and unexpectedly, was admitted by the townsmen and found the castle almost empty, except for the earl's wife and brother and a few of their adherents, whom the earl had left there when the king entered the town, just managing to escape by himself. So, as the king besieged the castle with resolution and spirit and most grievously afflicted the garrison with catapults and other engines of different sorts, the Earl of Chester sent to Robert Earl of Gloucester, Miles also, and all who had armed themselves against the king, and likewise brought with him a dreadful and unendurable mass of Welsh, all in agreement, in complete harmony, together to overthrow the king. It was the feast of the Purification When at early dawn they were celebrating the solemnity of the Mass and the king, according to the rite and office of the day, was carrying a lighted candle in his hand, the light suddenly went out and the candle too, they say, was broken for the moment but, kept in his hand, mended and relit, which of course was a sign that he would lose the dignity of the kingdom for his sin and at length, when penance had been rendered, by God's favour wondrously and gloriously get it back again. And that he still kept hold of the candle, though it had been broken in his hand, signifies that he did not utterly abandon the kingdom and did not even lose the name of king, though imprisoned, and it was wondrously brought about by God's providence that though he was kept among his bitterest enemies they still could not prevent his being king.<br />
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The king, on hearing that the enemy would arrive very shortly and fight that very day if he did not make his escape, refused to sully his fame by the disgrace of flight, and arraying his columns with care and in good order, as a soldier should, he boldly went to meet them outside the town. When he had sent forward a very strong body of knights and footmen to stop them as they emerged from a ford, they on the other side prudently drew up their line of battle, furiously charged the king's men, and seized the ford, and when they had scattered them with great vigour and put them to flight then with one mind and dauntless spirit they joined battle with the king's army and after killing some and taking others for ransom (but a great many, like the Count of Meulan and the famous William of Ypres, fled shamefully before coming to close quarters) at last they took the king, in spite of a strong and most resolute resistance. Then some pursued the townsmen as they retreated to the town and by slaughtering very many of them and likewise plundering and burning houses and churches on every side they created a piteous scene of devastation everywhere, others devoted their attention to the vast throng of prisoners they had captured, especially to the king. When at length they dis–armed him and he kept on crying out, in a humbled voice of complaint, that this mark of ignominy had indeed come upon him because God avenged his injuries and yet they were not innocent of a monstrous crime in breaking their faith, condemning their oath, caring nothing for the homage they had pledged him, and rebelling so wickedly and abominably against the man they had chosen of their own will as their king and lord, they were all so much softened by tender emotions of pity and compassion that they not only broke forth into tears and lamentations but repentance was very deeply imprinted on their hearts and faces.<br />
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• Other Sources for the Battle of Lincoln: <a href="http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/sources/battleoflincoln.htm"> The Battle of Lincoln</a><br />
• Interested in Castle Warfare? The following link provides some fascinating insights into castle warfare from the Gesta Stephani, written in the time of King Stephen: <a href=http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/articles/speight.htm> Castle Warfare in the Gesta Stephani</a><br />
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After the flight of Stephen's earls the rest of his division fought on until they were killed or had surrendered. Stephen was eventually captured and taken to Bristol and imprisoned.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-64820587180192321012010-08-07T17:09:00.011+10:002010-11-08T12:35:50.155+11:00The Anarchy ~ 1139• 1139: Matilda Comes to Claim her Throne<br /><br />Matilda and Geoffrey had not been idle in Anjou after the death of Henry I and documentation shows they were active in gathering support for their cause. Once Anjou was secure Geoffrey turned his attention to Normandy in 1138 and fought staunchly there for his wife and son's inheritance. He finally secured the duchy in 1144, assuming the title Duke of Normandy until he and Matilda ceded it to their son, Henry, in 1149. Conversely, Stephen only visited Normandy once in his reign, in 1137, and it was at this time that his son Eustace paid homage to the French King Louis for Normandy.<br /><br />Meanwhile, although Robert of Gloucester had attended Stephen's Easter Court in 1136 he eventually grew disappointed and withdrew. Perhaps he was alarmed at the favour being bestowed on the Flemish mercenary, William of Ypres, and at the rising power of the Beaumont brothers, Waleran, 1st Earl of Worcester, and Robert, 2nd Earl of Leicester, and no doubt he had also witnessed some of the leniency Stephen had shown to his unruly barons. In 1138 Robert raised the flag of rebellion against Stephen and declared for his half sister Matilda. Brian Fitzcount, who was a staunch supporter of her claim, promptly followed suit in 1139 as did Miles of Gloucester, who as Sheriff put Gloucester at her disposal. Reginald of Cornwall, another illegitimate son of Henry I, could have possibly declared for her as well at this time.<br /><br />The year 1139 would prove to be disastrous for Stephen. He raised the enmity and resentment of his brother Henry when Theobald of Bec was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry suspected the influence of Waleran was at work in this decision because Waleran was a lay patron of Bec. In an attempt to pacify Henry he was appointed Papal Legate. Furthermore, Stephen, who had grown irritated by the overwhelming influence of Roger of Salisbury and his nephews, found a pretext for demanding the surrender of Roger's and the Bishops of Ely and Lincoln castles. When they refused to surrender them Stephen had them arrested and after a short struggle all Roger's wealth and possessions were seized. Stephen's attack on Roger incensed the clergy, including his brother Henry the Bishop of Winchester, who perceived it as an attack on the church itself. When Stephen was summoned to a church council to answer for the seizure of castles held by Roger it was Aubrey de Vere who represented the King. The appalling treatment of Roger proved to be a poor decision that would come to cost Stephen dearly.<br /><br />Having created an immense amount of ill feeling and resentment among his clergy and barons, Stephen now faced the arrival of Matilda who landed in England in September 1139 and sought refuge with Adelica, the former queen of her father Henry, at Arundel Castle. (Her second husband William d'Aubigny, 1st Earl of Arundel, although a supporter of Stephen, would in time became instrumental in arguing for a peace settlement between Stephen and Henry of Anjou). Amazingly, Stephen allowed Matilda to go free and travel onto Bristol under escort and join forces with her brother, Robert of Gloucester. Perhaps such chivalrous gestures were important to Stephen - surely it couldn't be another example of his poor judgement skills due to his reportedly easygoing nature! - but whatever his reasoning, the upshot of this decision meant that there were now two rival courts in England - Stephen primarily in the south east and Robert/Matilda in the south west.<br /><br />Robert promptly commenced a campaign to dispossess landholders within his area who were loyal to Stephen. He also commanded raids against possessions of the Beaumont brothers including Wareham in Dorset and Worcester, taking Robert of Leicester's lands in Dorset for himself. Although Robert was now secure in his heartlands he did not find it an easy task to recruit wider support and Stephen succeeded in containing him in the West Country and Severn valley. It was a stalemate of sorts and in August 1140 both sides sent representatives to an unsuccessful peace conference held at Bath.<br /><br />Robert's next opportunity came late in the year 1140 when Ranulf, Earl of Chester seized Lincoln castle in a scene reminiscent of Baldwin de Redvers several years before. Ranulf allied himself with Robert, his father in law, and pledged fealty to Matilda in exchange for Robert's agreement to provide a force to help defeat Stephen's army which had laid siege to Lincoln. They united their forces, which included a host of Welsh mercenaries allied to Robert, at Donington castle in January 1141. On 2nd February 1141 the Earl's army met King Stephen's at the Battle of Lincoln.<br /><br />• The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: <a href="http://omacl.org/Anglo/part7.html"> The Years 1102-1154</a><br /><br />• From the chronicle of Orderic Vitalis: Countess Matilda and Robert, Earl of Gloucester, land at Arundel<br /><br /><em>"In the autumn, Matilda, countess of Anjou, crossed the sea to England, with her brother Robert of Caen, Guy de Sable, and several others; and being well received at Arundel, she obtained leave from the king to pass without interruption to the castles which belonged to her partisans. It may be remarked that this permission given by the king was a sign of great simplicity or carelessness, and prudent men regret that he was regardless of his own welfare and the kingdom's security. It was in his power at this time to have easily stifled a flame which threatened great mischief, if, with a policy becoming the wise, he had at once driven away the wolf from the entrance of the fold, and, for the safety of the flock, nipped the growth of malignancy in the bud, and, like his fathers, crushed the deadly efforts of those whose enterprise threatened the country with pillage, slaughter, and depopulation, by smiting them with the sword of justice."</em><br /><br />Notes:<br />Aubrey de Vere seems to be one baron who was loyal to the institution of the monarchy and to the administration of state in England rather than to a particular figure or 'side'. He was appointed Lord Great Chamberlain by Henry I in 1133 and served both him and Stephen as well as being appointed Sheriff of several Shires. Aubrey died in 1141 and eventually his son would be created 1st Earl of Oxford.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-44331580774789438362010-08-04T20:50:00.012+10:002011-02-06T13:45:30.833+11:00The Anarchy ~ 1135 - 1138• 1135-1138: A Coronation and Unrest Grows; Battle of the Standard<br />
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It was perhaps inevitable that a disputed succession would follow the death of Henry I in December 1135 given his unprecedented decision to nominate his daughter as his heir. One group of barons including Robert of Gloucester were in Normandy with Henry at the time of his death and they had been charged with the task of accompanying his body to Reading for burial, while Matilda and Geoffrey were in Anjou soothing their ruffled feathers after Henry's stubborn refusal to grant them custody of some key Norman castles which may have been helpful to their cause.<br />
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In the aftermath of Henry's demise a group of barons had been giving consideration to electing Count Theobald of Blois to the kingship but their deliberations were cut short when the news arrived of Stephen's stunning coup. Acting with a rare decisiveness and ruthlessness which belied his normally easygoing and affable nature, Stephen had hastily sailed for England and on his arrival in London, had been popularly elected king by the townspeople. It is thought that Henry of Blois, Abbot of Glastonbury and Bishop of Winchester, advised his brother and helped him to secure the treasury at Winchester. Perhaps they had plotted together in the years before Henry's death and had organised some sort of plan but without evidence this is just speculation. At any rate, they had promptly grabbed the opportunity which had presented itself, and with the support of Roger, Bishop of Salisbury and a landholder in East Anglia, a certain Hugh Bigod, the son of Roger Bigod, who claimed that he had been present at Henry's deathbed and the dying king had released the barons and the bishops from their oath of fealty to Matilda, Henry of Blois persuaded William of Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury to crown Stephen as king which took place on 22nd December 1135. The Archbishop would not live long enough to witness the ensuing difficulties this decision created. He died in 1136 and the position remained vacant until the appointment of Theobald of Bec in 1138. Stephen of Blois, with the help of the English clergy, had effectively usurped the throne of England.<br />
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For the first two years everything seemed to go well for Stephen. With the coronation over, Stephen gained the support of the majority of the barons, and he won the endorsement of Pope Innocent II. The clergy wrung a 'Charter of Liberties' from him as the price of their support. There were skirmishes in the north with King David of Scotland which ended with Stephen mistakenly ceding Carlisle which was held by Ranulf, Earl of Chester, and there was some unrest on the Welsh borders, but on the whole things had gone relatively smoothly. Doubt about Stephen's rulership abilities first appeared in an incident involving Baldwin de Redvers, who never accepted Stephen as king. He had seized Exeter and while Stephen's army had been able to take possession of the town the castle garrison held firm and Baldwin himself had escaped. It took three months to resolve this dispute and ended with Stephen raising the siege and allowing the rebels, including Baldwin's wife and children, to make submission and go unpunished. The result of this episode was that the clemency the King had shown horrified most of the barons who were present and Baldwin fled to Anjou and joined Matilda and Geoffrey's cause. Indeed, Matilda would eventually go on to create him 1st Earl of Devon, most likely in 1141 after the Battle of Lincoln. It was a prime indicator to the unruly barons that Stephen was too lenient and they could get away with quite a good deal. Unlicensed castles sprung up across the countryside and many barons waged private wars against one another with little regard for the effects that the destruction caused to ordinary people.<br />
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<b>The Battle of the Standard:</b><br />
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On 22nd August 1138 at Cowdon Moor near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, the forces of King David's army met the English army led by William, Earl of Aumale in battle. In The Battle of the Standard the Scots were defeated and David and his surviving nobles and army retired to Carlisle. From here David was able to regroup and this enabled him to go on the offensive again. The siege of Wark continued until it was captured in November. David continued to occupy Cumberland and much of Northumberland.<br />
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Both sides would eventually meet each other at Durham and broker a settlement. In an agreement which, in effect, fulfilled David's ambitions it was decided that King Stephen would retain possession of the strategically important castles of Newcastle and Bamburgh while David would retain Carlisle and Cumberland. His son Henry was restored to the Earldom of Huntingdon and Lordship of Doncaster, and given the earldom of Northumberland. So in the end, what firstly appeared to be defeat turned out to be a satisfying victory in a different kind of way.<br />
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Despite these acquisitions King David stayed true to his word and continued to loyally uphold Matilda's claims to the throne after her arrival in England in 1139. He also appeared by her side during the months in London when the crown was tantalisingly within her grasp in 1141.<br />
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• Richard of Hexham's account of the <a href="http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/sources/hexham.htm"> Battle of the Standard</a><br />
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• UK Battlefields Resource Centre: <a href="http://www.battlefieldstrust.com/resource-centre/medieval/battleview.asp?BattleFieldId=32"> Battle of Northallerton</a>Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-90146968967855721692010-08-02T22:47:00.008+10:002010-08-02T23:29:27.625+10:00The Anarchy ~ Introduction• Introduction: The Seeds Are Sown<br /><br />At years' end in 1119 the state of politics in Normandy and England must have looked very promising for always careful and methodical Henry I. He had been victorious in the Battle of Bremule against Louis VI of France, and he had successfully negotiated the marriage of William, his son and heir, to Isabella (or Alice) of Anjou, the daughter of Count Fulk V of Anjou, which took place in June 1119. It was a diplomatic match that secured peace between Henry and the Angevins.<br /><br />• Battle of Bremule, according to Orderic Vitalis: <a href="http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/sources/bremule.htm"> Battle of Bremule</a><br /><br />However, Henry's carefully crafted diplomacy was destined not to last. On 25th November 1120 William and his wife, who had adopted the name Matilda after the marriage, boarded separate ships for the journey to England. William and all his companions onboard except one, a butcher from Rouen, drowned when the White Ship struck rocks off Barfleur and sank on its maiden voyage. William's widow did not remarry and took vows at Fontevrault Abbey and eventually became its Abbess. In an ironic and fateful twist, Stephen of Blois had also made plans to travel on the doomed vessel but disembarked before it set sail. For the next 15 years the problem of the succession dominated the political machinations of Henry's reign.<br /><br />He married his second wife, Adelica of Louvain, in hope of producing another male heir. Although Henry acknowledged more than 20 illegitimate children it wasn't to be and his daughter Matilda remained is only legitimate child. Henry had married her to the Emperor Henry V and when he died in 1125 the King recalled her from Germany and, escorted by Robert of Gloucester and Brian Fitzcount, she returned to Normandy and then England. In the same year, 1125, Stephen of Blois had wed Matilda, the Countess of Boulogne, adding her inheritance and the port of Wissant to his already considerable estates. Stephen, the son of Stephen, Count of Blois, and Adela, a daughter of William the Conqueror, had been sent to Henry's court after the death of his father and he had been well provided for by the King with estates in Lancaster, England, and Mortain, in north western Normandy. He had also supported Stephen's younger brother Henry of Blois, creating him Abbot of Glastonbury and Bishop of Winchester which made Henry the wealthiest clergyman in England.<br /><br />Henry I's next move in 1126 was to have all the barons swear an oath of fealty to his daughter and uphold her claim to the throne should he die without a male heir. In an effort to renegotiate the deal he had struck with the Angevins once before Henry then married Matilda to the youthful Geoffrey, son of Count Fulk, who was some 11 years her junior in 1127/8. This angered the Norman barons, who were unenthusiastic at the prospect of being ruled by a woman with an Angevin husband. Apparently Matilda herself was just as reluctant as the barons and her marriage to Geoffrey was particularly stormy. However, their first son Henry duly arrived on 25th March 1133, and the barons were again required to pledge their allegiance to Matilda and her heir.<br /><br />Henry's decisions and actions during these years would have far reaching and unforeseen consequences for the English realm after his death in Normandy in December 1135.<br /><br />• The Ecclesiastical History of Orderic Vitalis: <a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/orderic.html"> Henry I</a><br /><br />• The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle: <a href="http://omacl.org/Anglo/part7.html"> The Years 1102-1154</a><br /><br />• Henry I, King of England and Duke of Normandy by William of Newburgh: <a href="http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/williamofnewburgh-one.html#3"> Henry I</a><br /><br />• Warfare between Henry I and Robert Curthose according to Wace: <a href="http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/sources/wace.htm"> Warfare between Henry I and Robert Curthose</a>Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-69772954139379731852010-07-31T20:28:00.006+10:002010-08-01T17:08:15.172+10:00Biographies: Other Persons of Interest - Aubrey de Vere; Hugh Bigod; The ClergySome brief notes on other persons of interest during the period of 'The Anarchy' to conclude this section of the blog ~<br /><br />• Aubrey de Vere II - Alice FitzRichard de Clare<br /><br />Aubrey de Vere II<br />Birth: -<br />Death: 1141<br />Burial: Colne Priory, Essex <br />Father: Aubrey de Vere<br />Mother: -<br />Marriage: Alice FitzRichard de Clare<br />Children:<br />Aubrey de Vere, 1st Earl of Oxford m. (1) 1139 Beatrice de Guises, daughter of the Comte de Guises. He and Beatrice de Guises were divorced c.1146. (2) c.1162 Agnes of Essex, daughter of Henry of Essex, Lord Rayleigh and Haughley<br />Alice<br />Geoffrey<br />Robert<br />Rohese de Vere, m. Geoffrey de Mandeville II, 1st Earl of Essex <br />Juliane, m. Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk <br />William, Bishop of Hereford <br />Gilbert, Prior of the Knights Hospitaller in England <br />? daughter m. Roger de Ramis<br /><br />NOTES: Aubrey de Vere was appointed Lord Great Chamberlain by Henry I in 1133 and served both him and Stephen as well as being appointed Sheriff of several Shires. In 1139 when Stephen was summoned to a church council to answer for the seizure of castles held by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, it was Aubrey who represented the King. His son would eventually be created 1st Earl of Oxford, and it was the de Vere family who built the still well preserved Keep, Hedingham Castle, in Essex. Matilda of Boulogne, Stephen's wife, died at Hedingham on 3 May, 1152.<br /><br /><br />• Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk - Juliane de Vere and Gundreda<br /><br />Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk<br />Birth: 1095<br />Death: 1177 <br />Father: Roger Bigod<br />Mother: Alice (Adeliza) de Tosny<br />Marriage: (1) 1140 Juliane de Vere<br />Children:<br />Roger Bigod, 2nd Earl of Norfolk<br />Marriage: (2) Gundreda<br />Hugh Bigod<br />William Hugh Bigod<br /><br />NOTES: Infamous as the man who swore an oath that Henry I had disinherited his daughter Matilda in favour of Stephen on his deathbed, Hugh Bigod had become heir to his father's estates in East Anglia after the death of his elder brother, William Bigod, in the White Ship disaster of 1120. Hugh was married twice. His first marriage was to Juliane de Vere, daughter of Aubrey de Vere II and Alice FitzRichard de Clare, and produced a son, Roger. His second marriage was to Gundreda, daughter of Roger de Beaumont, 2nd Earl of Warwick which produced two sons, Hugh and William. Hugh Bigod was another baron who seems to have frequently changed his loyalties between Matilda and Stephen depending on which way he thought the 'wind was blowing' in his own best interests.<br /><br /><br /><u>THE CLERGY</u><br /><br />• Roger, Bishop of Salisbury<br /><br />Roger, Bishop of Salisbury<br />Birth: -<br />Death: 11 December 1139, Salisbury<br /><br />NOTES: Although he was uneducated, Roger had a great talent for administrative business and was an effective bureaucrat. Henry I appointed him Chancellor in 1101, an office which he held until late 1102. Roger devoted himself to the administrative business of the realm, The Court of Exchequer, and became its chief minister or Justiciar. He received the bishopric of Salisbury on 29 September 1102 and held this until his death in 1139. Although Roger, along with the rest of the clergy and nobility, had sworn allegiance to Matilda, he supported Stephen's claim to the throne after Henry's death. Stephen relied on him and the bishops of Ely and Lincoln yet at the same time was irritated by Roger's overwhelming influence. At a council held in June 1139, Stephen found a pretext for demanding the surrender of their castles. When they refused Stephen had them arrested and after a short struggle all Roger's wealth and possessions were seized. Stephen's attack on Roger incensed the clergy, including his brother Henry the Bishop of Winchester, who perceived it as an attack on the church itself. It proved to be a poor decision that would come to cost Stephen dearly.<br /><br /><br />• William of Corbeil, Archbishop of Canterbury<br /><br />William of Corbeil<br />Birth: -<br />Death: 21 November 1136, Canterbury, Kent <br />Burial: Canterbury Cathedral<br /><br />NOTES: Elected in 1123 to succeed Ralph d'Escures, William is best known as the builder of the keep of Rochester Castle and for his decision to crown Stephen king. In this the Archbishop was persuaded by Henry of Blois and Roger of Salisbury, who argued that the oath Henry had made the clergy and barons swear to recognise Matilda had been forcefully imposed, and by the statement of Hugh Bigod, who claimed that he had been present at Henry's deathbed and the dying king had released the barons and the bishops from their oath of fealty. The claim was untrue but no one present was willing to dispute it.<br /><br /><br />• Theobald of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury<br /><br />Theobald of Bec<br />Birth: -<br />Death: 18 April 1161, Canterbury, Kent<br />Burial: Canterbury Cathedral<br /><br />NOTES: Theobald was elected to fill the vacant archbishopric of Canterbury in 1138, a move which earned him the enmity of Stephen's brother Henry, Bishop of Winchester. He is best known for refusing to consecrate Stephen's son and heir Eustace, and as the patron of his successor Thomas Becket.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-79829543855886362352010-07-31T14:36:00.008+10:002010-07-31T16:14:51.732+10:00Biographies: Robert D'Oyly• Robert D'Oyly - Edith Forne<br /><br />Robert D'Oyly<br />Birth: -<br />Death: possibly c.1142 <br />Father: Nigel D'Oyly<br />Mother: -<br />Marriage: Edith Forne<br />Children:<br />Henry, d.1163<br />Gilbert<br /><br />NOTES: Robert D'Oyly the younger was the son of Nigel D'Oyly, Lord of Oxford Castle, and nephew of his namesake Robert D'Oyly d.1091 who was Lord of Wallingford, High Sheriff of Berkshire, builder of Oxford Castle, and one the largest landholders in England.<br /><br />Robert D'Oyly the younger's marriage to Edith Forne, a former mistress of Henry I, brought him the Manor of Cleydon, Buckinghamshire.<br /><br />In 1141 Robert declared his support for Matilda, The Empress, against King Stephen, and gave her protection in Oxford between 1141 and 1142. Stephen besieged the castle for three months, and it was during the winter that Matilda is said to have escaped by being lowered down the castle walls and, dressed in white as a camouflage against the snow and fleeing across the frozen ground, made her way to the safety of Wallingford in a story that has now became legendary.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-69731505101946164822010-07-30T20:18:00.008+10:002010-08-16T15:24:14.540+10:00Biographies: Geoffrey de Mandeville• Geoffrey de Mandeville II, 1st Earl of Essex - Rohese de Vere<br /><br />Geoffrey de Mandeville II<br />Birth: -<br />Death: 1144<br />Burial: Temple Church, London<br />Father: William de Mandeville<br />Mother: Margaret, daughter of Eudo de Rie also called Eudo (Dapifer) and Rohese de Clare<br />Marriage: Rohese de Vere, daughter of Aubrey de Vere II<br />Children:<br />Ernulf, disinherited, exiled for supporting his father in rebellion<br />Geoffrey III, 2nd earl of Essex (d.1166)<br />William II, 3rd earl of Essex and Count of Aumale (d.1189)<br />Robert (d. c.1189)<br /><br />NOTES: It seems Geoffrey was not only a bit of a rogue but he also took great delight in playing both Stephen and Matilda, The Empress, until he met his demise in 1144. He changed sides more than once and his prime objective, at least in the beginning, seems to have been the restoration of his family's estates which had been seized by Henry I after his father, William de Mandeville, fell foul of the king. He at first supported Stephen who duly made him Earl of Essex in late 1139 or during 1140 and then in 1141 appointed him custodian of the White Tower in London.<br /><br />He, like many barons, supported Matilda after Stephen's defeat at the Battle of Lincoln and she reconfirmed his possessions and granted him the Norman lands of his paternal grandfather, Eudo de Rie (Dapifer), and appointed him sheriff of Essex, Hertfordshire, Middlesex and London. After Stephen's release he turned his support back to the King but it must have been shortlived because he rebelled and Stephen confiscated his castles in 1143.<br /><br />During 1143 and 1144 Geoffrey set up his headquarters in the fen country of East Anglia and used the Isle of Ely and Ramsey Abbey as a base for his rebel operations. From this position it was difficult for Stephen to effectively contain Geoffrey's activities, although he was eventually besieged by Stephen. Geoffrey died in September 1144, the result of an arrow wound he had received in a skirmish while attacking Burwell Castle in August 1144.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-79660128910271625052010-07-28T18:23:00.006+10:002010-07-31T16:12:34.964+10:00Biographies: William, Count of Boulogne and Earl of Surrey• William, Count of Boulogne and Earl of Surrey - Isabel de Warenne, 4th Countess of Surrey<br /><br />William, Count of Boulogne and Earl of Surrey <br />Birth: c.1137<br />Death: 11 October 1159, Toulouse, France<br />Burial: Poitou<br />Father: Stephen of Blois<br />Mother: Matilda of Boulogne<br />Marriage: 1148 - Isabel de Warenne, 4th Countess of Surrey <br />Children: Nil<br /><br />NOTES: William was the third son of King Stephen and assumed the title Count of Boulogne after his elder brother's death in 1153. He had married Isabel de Warenne, 4th Countess of Surrey, in 1148. They had no children before his death in 1159. Stephen's surviving son had never expected to be King, and provision was made for him to inherit all of Stephen's baronial lands in the Treaty of Wallingford. When Henry II came to the throne he confirmed William's status as Earl of Surrey by right of his wife. In Boulogne, William was succeeded by his sister Mary as Countess of Boulogne after his death.Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705556241859233459.post-89087469208621470912010-07-25T15:43:00.003+10:002010-07-31T16:11:34.738+10:00Biographies: Eustace, Count of Boulogne• Eustace, Count of Boulogne - Constance of France<br /><br />Eustace, Count of Boulogne<br />Birth: c.1130-35<br />Death: 17 August 1153, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk<br />Burial: Faversham Abbey, Kent<br />Father: Stephen of Blois<br />Mother: Matilda of Boulogne<br />Marriage: c.1140 - Constance of France<br />Children: Nil<br /><br />NOTES: Eustace was the second son of King Stephen and assumed the title Count of Boulogne by right of his mother, Matilda of Boulogne, in c.1146. He paid homage for Normandy to Louis VII of France in 1137 and married the French king's sister, Constance, in c.1140. Eustace was knighted in 1147 and in 1151 he joined Louis in an abortive raid on Normandy. Meanwhile Stephen was attempting unsuccessfully to have Eustace crowned in his own lifetime. Backed by the Pope, Theobald of Bec steadfastly refused to perform the ceremony. Eustace died unexpectedly in August 1153 and was buried at Faversham Abbey in Kent which had been founded by his parents. Legend tells he was struck down (or choked on his food) after plundering church lands near Bury St Edmunds. His death greatly increased the possibility of a peaceful settlement between Stephen and Henry of Anjou. The negotiations concluded with the Treaty of Wallingford (also called Treaty of Westminster) of 1153, in which Henry was finally named Stephen's heir.<br /><br />The chronicler's assessment of Eustace weren't kind - from The Peterborough Chronicle, "He was an evil man and did more harm than good wherever he went; he spoiled the lands and laid thereon heavy taxes."Aelfgifuhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07897688869872026892noreply@blogger.com0