2 weeks ago - Following a major rebellion in ... civil war, neither side achieved a decisive advantage; Matilda came to control southwest England and much of the Thames Valley, while Stephen remained in control of the southeast....

Bradbury notes that Stephen's accession was mostly uncontested by the nobility - even his later foil Robert of Gloucester - until Matilda made her landing at Arundel in 1139. The book offers a rich account of 'the Anarchy', though its writer ...

Stephen s reign was one of the darkest periods of English history. He had promised Henry I that he would support the king s daughter, Matilda, as the rightful heir to the English throne, but when Henry died in December, 1135, he broke his promise ...

An account of the civil war that dominated Stephen's reign which suggests that there were really two separate wars: the war for Matilda's succession, which began in 1139 and ended in 1148, and the war for Henry's succession.

Matilda, Empress, consort of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, 1102-1167, Stephen, King of England, 1097?-1154, Great Britain -- History -- Stephen, 1135-1154, Great Britain -- History, Military -- 1066-1485

That's what is at the heart of this book; looking at each of Stephen's decisions and then explaining why they actually made sense and why he wasn't a bad king. This author is adamant that Stephen did not lose the civil war, he just didn't "win convincingly enough."

Henry I's daughter Matilda invaded England in 1139 to claim the throne, and the country was plunged into civil war.

Another prompt response to the call came from Miles of Gloucester, who gave Matilda his homage, and accepted her into Gloucester, where she chiefly resided during the following years. John the Marshal, who held Marlborough Castle, was another early recruit. It seems that John’s rebellion had come just before the arrival of Robert, probably intended to coincide with it. Stephen was besieging Marlborough when he heard of their coming and set off for Arundel. ... The main war zone, 1139–41.

Civil war and the battle for the English Crown dominated the reign of King Stephen, and this popular account is the only complete account of the complex and fascinating military situation.

218 pp. This popular account, now available in paperback for the first time, is the only complete story of the complex military situation, regarding English Civil War of 1139 - 1153, and the battle for the English Crown which dominated the reign of King Stephen.

Stephen' s reign was one of the darkest periods of English history. He had promised Henry I that he would support the king s daughter, Matilda, as the rightful heir to the English throne, but when Henry died in December, 1135, he broke his promise and quickly made himself king.

In the Middle Ages, open-ground dustups were very rare and were considered high risk. As historian Jim Bradbury put it in Stephen and Matilda: The civil war of 1139-53, ‘Most good commanders avoided battle so far as possible.’ Siege and attrition were the norms of 12th-century warfare.

That's what is at the heart of this book; looking at each of Stephen's decisions and then explaining why they actually made sense and why he wasn't a bad king. This author is adamant that Stephen did not lose the civil war, he just didn't "win convincingly enough."

The actions of the king during the years between 1135 and 1139 provoked some men to move into opposition. Some rebelled openly, others began preparations to join Matilda once she entered the country.

The war is examined in detail ... battles at the Standard and Lincoln, showing that Stephen always held more ground than his opponents and was mostly on the offensive....

Full of colourful characters - the likeable king, the domineering Matilda, the young and vital Henry of Anjou (later Henry Ii), his intelligent and effective father Geoffrey Count of Anjou, the powerful barons from Geoffrey de Mandeville to Ranulf of Chester - and illustrated with photographs, maps and manuscript illustrations, this is a fascinating story of rivalry for the English throne which throws new light on a much-neglected aspect of Stephen's reign. ... Chapter 1. The Causes of the Civil War

October 21, 2011 - Civil war and the battle for the English Crown dominated the reign of King Stephen, and this popular account is the only complete account of the complex and fascinating military situation.

The civil war escalated in 1139 when Empress Matilda landed in England. Stephen besieged her at Arundel Castle but released her, either out of chivalry or strategic calculation.

Stephen' s reign was one of the darkest periods of English history. He had promised Henry I that he would support the king s daughter, Matilda, as the rightful heir to the English throne, but when Henry died in December, 1135, he broke his promise and quickly made himself king.