Stephen

Stephen, the son of Stephen, Count of Blois and Adela, daughter of William I was born in about 1097.

His father went on the First Crusade and was killed at Ramlah in 1102. Adela ruled Blois and Chartes until 1107 when she handed over power to her son Theobald.

In 1125 Stephen married Matilda of Boulogne and two years later swore an oath recognizing his cousin, Matilda, the daughter of Henry I, as heir to the English throne. However, when Henry died in December 1135, Stephen broke his promise and quickly had himself crowned king of England.

At the time of her father's death, Matilda was with her husband, Geoffrey of Anjou in Normandy. It was not until 1139 that Matilda landed in England with her army. Stephen was eventually captured at the battle of Lincoln (February, 1141).

When Matilda went to be crowned the first queen of England, the people of London rebelled and she was forced to flee from the area. Stephen's army captured Matilda's half-brother, Robert of Gloucester.

An exchange of prisoners was agreed, and Stephen obtained his freedom.

Edward, 1042-1066 William I, 1066-1087 William II, 1087-1100 Henry I, 1100-1135 Stephen, 1135-1154 Henry II, 1154-1189 Richard I, 1189-1199 John, 1199-1216 Henry III, 1216-1272 Edward I, 1272-1307 Edward II, 1307-1327 Edward III, 1327-1377 Richard II, 1377-1399 Henry IV, 1399-1413 Henry V, 1413-1422 Henry VI, 1422-1461 Edward IV, 1461-1483 Edward V, 1483-1483 Richard III, 1483-1485 Henry VII, 1485-1509 Henry VIII, 1509-1547 Edward VI, 1547-1553 Mary, 1553-1558 Elizabeth I, 1558-1603 James I, 1603-1625 Charles I, 1625-1649 Charles II, 1660-1685 James II, 1685-1688 Mary II, 1688-1694 William III, 1688-1702 Anne, 1702-1714 George I, 1714-1727 George II, 1727-1760 George III, 1760-1820 George IV, 1820-1830 William IV, 1830-1837 Victoria, 1837-1901 Edward VII, 1901-1910 George V, 1910-1936 Edward VIII, 1936 George VI, 1936-1952