Stephen Biography

Birth of Stephen, 3rd son of Stephen the Count of Blois & Chartres & Adela

Marries Matilda, only daughter & heiress of Eustace III & Mary of Scotland

Birth of his 1st son who dies in 1135

Founds Furness Abbey on the outskirts of Barrow- in-Furness

Has a 2nd son, the future Count of Boulogne-sur-Mer

Has a 3rd son, the future Count of Boulogne-sur-Mer

Stephens 1st born son dies

The barons ignore Henry Is wishes, pass ove Matilda & offer Stephen the crown. Roger of Salisbury supported Stephens bid to be King instead of Matilda

Supported for the succession by his brother Henry Bishop of Winchester. Falsely claims his uncle Henry I named him his successor on his deathbed

Supported by the Barons who are opposed to a woman taking the throne

Death of Henry I, rides to Winchester to take control of the Treasury

Crowned King of England, on St Stephens Day

The oath of allegiance sworn to support Matilda is claimed to be invalid

Birth of Second daughter, the future Countess of Boulogne-sur-Mer

The Barons swear an oath to Stephen

Stephen lays siege to Baldwin de Redvers at Rougemont Castle

The Pope confirms Stephens claim to the English throne

David I is granted Carlisle and Doncaster, with Carlisle went much of Cumberland and the honour of Lancaster

Stephens wife, Matilda, was crowned Queen Consort at Westminster Abbey

Gloucesters vassals fortify their castles in rebellion to the King. Gloucester supports his half sister Matilda

Stephen lays siege to Baldwin de Redvers at Corfe castle

David I invades England in support of Matilda against Stephen

The Battle of Northallerton, better known as the Battle of the Standard, is the first major engagement between English and Scots since the Norman Conquest. Stephen defeates the Scots under David I near Northallerton

David I captures Northumberland

David I captures Northumberland

Divides the Bishops which encourages Matilda

Matilda and her forces land at Arundel

Matilda joins her half-brother, Robert of Gloucester, in Bristol

Stephen cedes Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmoreland to David

Stephen cedes Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmoreland to David

Stephen cedes Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmoreland to David

Stephen cedes Northumberland, Cumberland and Westmoreland to David. Signed between Stephen & David I, Stephen makes peace

Takes refuge in the Tower of London

Arrives outside Lincoln to recapture it from Ranulf, Earl of Chester

Arrested by Matilda & held at Bristol

Stephen is captured in battle by William de Cahaignes. Matilda, supported by Ranulf, defeats Stephen & is declared "Lady of England", Queen. A force of Matildas supporters led by Robert of Gloucester & Ranulf, Earl of Chester

Captured at the Battle of Lincoln while besieging Lincoln Castle

Restored to the throne

Released in exchange for Gloucester, Matildas half brother & most valued ally

Again crowned King of England in Canterbury Cathedral by Archbishop Theobald

King Stephen takes Oxford & besieges Matilda in Oxford castle

Crowned King for the 3rd time

Founds Faversham Abbey which is intended to become Stephens burial place

Defeats David I during a Scottish invasion of England

Provision for the English crown to pass to Matildas son, Henry of Anjou

Death of Eustace, Stephens son. Causes Theobald of Canterbury & Henry of Winchester to mediate between Henry & Stephen

Stephen names Henry II as his successor

Stephen names Henry II as his successor

Stephen concludes a peace Treaty with Henry, son of Matilda, granting him the throne

Henry Plantagenet becomes Stephens heir. Allows Stephen to remain King of England for life

Achieves a truce with the Earl of Gloucester after the Battle of Wallingford

Buried in Faversham Abbey beside his wife & son

Death of Stephen, during a conference with the Count of Flanders