This Day in History: 1154-10-25
In 1154, King Stephen of England died, and Henry I’s grandson became Henry II of England.
When Henry I died on the 1st of December 1135, his nephew, Stephen of Blois, sailed across the channel to take the throne of England with the help of his brother Henry of Winchester. Initially, Stephen defended the English throne from attacks by Geoffrey of Anjou, husband of the rightful heir and daughter of Henry I, Empress Matilda, as well as David I of Scotland. War (known as The Anarchy due to the breakdown of law and order) raged in both England and Normandy between King Stephen on one side and Matilda and her husband on the other. The Anarchy was a bloody civil war in England that lasted the entire reign of King Stephen and ended upon his death.
In 1139, Matilda was aided by her half-brother, Robert of Gloucester, who took control of the South West while King Stephen remained in control of South East England. After the Battle of Lincoln on the 2nd of February 1141, King Stephen was captured and imprisoned by the forces of Matilda 1141 but this led to lawlessness throughout the country, and rebellious crowds prevented Matilda from entering London and claiming her throne. Stephen was released, and a stalemate began in the country with each side producing their own coins. By 1147, the Second Crusade was announced, and many left to fight. Geoffrey of Anjou’s and Empress Matilda’s young son mounted a small force and attempted to attack Stephen, but due to a lack of funds, he was forced to retreat. King Stephen showed great kindness to his young relation, Henry, by paying off the men Henry had gathered to attack him and paying for Henry’s safe return to England. This did not deter Henry, and again he amassed a force to fight Stephen for the throne and lost. But Henry continued to build forces to attack Stephen. In an attempt to end civil war in England, King Stephen recognised young Henry as his successor to the throne (much to the anger of his own children), and upon his death on the 25th of October 1154, Henry became King Henry II of England.