You know Steve, you really should have passed on that offer!
The reign of King Stephen (1135-1154).
The barons had made a solemn oath to Henry that they would recognise his daughter, Matilda as their sovereign monarch after his death. However once Henry was dead, they made it clear what they really thought about putting a woman on the throne.
Matilda depicted in a stain glass window.
‘Waltzing Matilda? She can go dance!’
A number of England’s most powerful barons would not countenance the prospect of being ruled by a woman and offered the crown to Matilda’s cousin, Stephen of Blois. Stephen was a grandson of the Conqueror and was the only legitimate male available for the top job. Stephen was crowned on December 22nd 1135 and at first his position appeared secure, as the majority of the nobility supported his claim to the throne.
As far as they were concerned there was simply no alternative to Stephen, even Matilda’s half brother, Robert of Gloucester swore fealty to Stephen at his coronation. All of this was too much for the haughty, combative Matilda and soon England was engulfed in a terrible civil war.
Double cross!
No matter! I’ll show them who’s boss!
Matilda landed in Sussex in 1139 supported by her uncle David I of Scotland and now by Robert of Gloucester who had decided to switch sides. Like many English magnates, Robert had become totally disenchanted with Stephen’s rule. They had come to the conclusion that Stephen did not possess the qualities needed to rule a kingdom. He was simply unable to impose his authority and had a tendency to treat opponents rather too leniently. This cost him the respect and ultimately the support of his allies.
The country was devastated by the fighting and it was said that: ‘Christ and his saints slept’. In February 1141, Matilda defeated and captured Stephen at the battle of Lincoln, and it looked as if Stephen’s reign was now at an end.
BUT!
Another Matilda, Stephen’s wife, now entered the fray and managed to capture Robert of Gloucester!
I’ll swap you your brother for my husband’.
This led to Stephen going back on the offensive, and in the winter of 1142 he looked as if he would get his revenge for his humiliating captivity when he cornered Matilda in a siege at Oxford castle. It was snowing, and the ever resourceful Matilda dressed herself in snow white garments and slipped out of the castle unnoticed through Stephen’s lines.
The war ground to a horrible, stagnant stalemate with Matilda in control of the south-west and Stephen dominating the south-east. Neither side was able to dislodge the other. This was compounded by the fact that Matilda had made herself unpopular through her haughty manner and it was now generally recognised that Stephen was totally unsuited for kingship. In short, neither commanded any enthusiastic support in the country.
What a lousy choice!
Either way, we the people have no voice!
In this situation some kind of compromise had to be agreed and eventually it was. By now Matilda’s son, Henry, was playing a dominant role in the campaign and in 1153 he and Stephen reached an accord, the Treaty of Wallingford. It was agreed that Stephen should stay on the throne for life but Henry was to be his heir. Stephen died a year later.