Detailed revision notes on the reign of king Stephen, structured thematically. Created for the OCR A-level History course, Y303/01 'English Government and the Church ', but provide a general overview of Stephen's reign with key thematic information. Suitable background information for the 'interpre...
A) Disputed succession (unusually prolonged rebellion)
As seen elsewhere: William I and edgar aethling and Robert curthose, Rufus and Henry I,
henry I and William clito (1066-1070; 1088; 1101)
- Endemic rivalries meant that rebellion remained an option for magnates. Balance of
power between rivals.
Henry I – inadequate provision for his succession. Geoffrey of Anjou was unpopular and
didn’t have any foothold in England or Normandy, barons had been made to swear to
acknowledge Mathilda as successor.
B) The exploitation of lordship by the Anglo-Norman kings
Explosion in Stephen's reign, preceding kings exercising the policy of carefully exploiting and
manipulating their rights of lordship over the aristocracy. Long pent-up resentment – a
reaction against the harsh rule of his predecessors. Underlying structural weaknesses.
- Kings were given an advantage because no hand was held by the nobility outright
but all belonged to the king. Aristocracy had a weak hold over land.
- All land held in ‘fief’ and not as ‘allods’. Land could easily be taken away if loyalty and
service weren’t given.
- Ambiguity over inheritances. The king had ultimate rule without formalised
agreements and benefited from insecurities.
- Allowed the king to impose heavy fines for ‘feudal incidents’ – reward those
favoured and undermine those mistrusted
o Evidence in Henry I’s Charter of Liberties 1100 condemning Rufus
o Stephen’s charter of liberties 1135 condemning the practices of Henry I
o Pipe roll 1130 (barons had significant debts to the king £70,000)
o Charter of remorse of Nigel d’Albigny
- Conflicting claims over land. Barons wanted the security of inheritance. Fiefs,
honours and landholdings became more hereditable.
C) Weaknesses of Stephen’s character
Personality in contemporary sources.
- Lacked authority – saw himself “inferior” to them (Gesta Stephani)
- Kindly man
- Lent trusting ears to the whispers of the ill-disposed
o William of M: associated with Alexander bishop of L (arrested by Stephen in
1138) and a supporter of Robert of Gloucester – so not trustworthy.
, A fool ... inclined to the side of evil (Walter Map)
Generous and brave-hearted, but unable to rule men well
Mistakes between 1136 and 1139. Poor political judgement
- Didn’t appreciate the importance of Normandy. Didn’t visit Normandy until 1137.
Couldn’t control his army there as his rule had already been undermined.
o This allowed the Angevins to complete the conquest of Normandy between
1141-1144
o Magnates who held lands across the channel were more likely to continue to
resist him or waver in their support for him.
o Henry II became formally invested with the duchy in 1150
- 1138: Stephen secured the appointment of Theobald of Bec rather than his brother
Henry of Blois Bishop of Winchester as archbishop of canterbury.
o Lost an important ally – as henry had been instrumental in securing the
throne for Stephen in 1135. Henry would also later become papal legate
- Gave king David of scots a large part of northern England in 1139, even after he
defeated David at the battle of the standard.
o Attempt to win David’s support through appeasement failed as david’s niece
was matilda
o Ranulf of chester was denied Carlisle as it was given to David (thought it was
his inheritance by right) and defected to support Matilda – later captured
Stephen at Lincoln.
- Allowed the rise of the ‘beaumont twins’ as his favourites. Unsettled other magnates
o This influenced the defection of Robert of Gloucester in 1138
- 1139: arrested Roger Bishop of Salisbury and his nephews. Forced them to give up
their network of key castles
o Showing bad lordship. Demonstrated ingratitude to those who had been
instrumental in securing his succession
o Arrested vassals in the sanctuary of court – also manipulated excessively by
Beaumonts
o Gained a reputation for untrustworthiness
o Caused others to defect to the empress
o Lost key figures of government, effecting Stephen's ability to collect money
o Turned church against him in England and rome
- 1139 stephen surrounded matilda when she made a bid for support at Arundel – but
then granted her safe passage to join key supporter Robert of Gloucester at bristol
- Fell out with the church – open conflict with the papacy
o Didn’t accept henry Murdac as archbishop of York in 1151
o 1148 – exiled theobald his own archbishop of canterbury
o 1148 – pope placed an interdict on stephen’s lands
Refused to designate his son eustace as heir
- 1141 humiliating capture at Lincoln by ranulf of chester. Lost support from Geoffrey
de Mandeville, waleran of meulan
- 1147: Stephen gave henry ii money in effort to gain goodwill
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