Stephen, King of England

Reign: 1135 – 1141; 1141 – 1154
Life: 1095–1154

His reign was marked by the Anarchy, a civil war with his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda, whose son, Henry II, succeeded Stephen as the first of the Angevin kings of England. Stephen was born in the County of Blois in central France as the fourth son of Stephen-Henry, Count of Blois, and Adela, daughter of William the Conqueror. His father died as a crusader while Stephen was still young, and he was brought up by his mother. Placed into the court of his uncle Henry I of England, Stephen rose in prominence and was granted extensive lands.

During Stephen, King of England's reign, Alfonso VII of Castile ruled Spain, Afonso I of Portugal ruled Portugal, and Louis VII of France ruled France.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Stephen: The Reign of Anarchy by Edmund King

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The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

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Stephen: The Reign of Anarchy

Edmund King

King's modern life of the king whose civil war against Matilda nearly destroyed Norman England.

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