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Stephen was the grandson of William the Conqueror and about half-dozen
years older than his cousin and rival for the throne, Matilda (daughter of
Henry I). After his father's death in 1102, Stephen was raised by his uncle,
Henry I. Henry was genuinely fond of Stephen, and granted his nephew estates
on both sides of the English Channel. By 1130, Stephen was the richest man
in England and Normandy.
Stephen's reign was one of the darkest chapters in English history. He was
basically a good man - well respected by the barons and closely tied to the
church - but possessed a conciliatory character and limited scope of
kingship. Stephen had promised to recognize his cousin Matilda as lawful
heir, but like many of the English/Norman nobles, was unwilling to yield the
crown to a woman. He received recognition as king by the papacy through the
machinations of his brother Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester, and
gathered support from the barons
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Kings Alfred The Great, King of Wessex athelstan King of the English Athelred II The Unready, King of the English canute King of England eadred King of the English eadwig King of the English Edgar I, King of the English Edmund I, King of the English Edmund II Ironside, King of the English Edward The Martyr, King of the English
King Arthur King Edward the Confessor King Harold of Wessex King William I King William Rufus
King Henry I King Stephen King Henry II King Richard I King John King Henry III King Edward I King Edward II
King Edward III |
