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Stephen of Bois

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Monarch

The Resume

    (circa 1096-October 25, 1154)
    Born in Blois, France
    King of England (December 22, 1135-October 25, 1154)
    Count of Boulogne (1125-1147)
    Duke of Normandy (1135-44)
    Grandson of William the Conqueror
    Nephew of King Henry I

Why he might be annoying:

    He pledged to Henry I that he would support his daughter Matilda as his heir, but instead claimed the English throne for himself.
    He spent most of his reign fighting against Matilda and her supporters.
    His wife and the rival for his throne were both named Matilda. (Fortunately, the situation was made less confusing by the Matilda claiming the throne styling herself as an Empress instead of a Queen regnant.)
    He was captured at the Battle of Lincoln (February 2, 1141).
    His release was thanks largely to his wife, who led an army that captured Empress Matilda's military commander, Robert of Gloucester, leading to an exchange of the two (November, 1141).
    While he was defending his throne in England, Geoffrey of Anjou conquered Normandy and recognized as Duke by the King of France (1144).
    The fighting was accompanied by a general breakdown of law and order throughout much of England, with a contemporary chronicle noting, 'There was nothing but disturbance and wickedness and robbery.'
    In order to end the civil war, he had to agree to name Empress Matilda's son Henry as his heir ahead of his own son William (1153).

Why he might not be annoying:

    Henry I's royal steward declared that the King had changed his mind on his deathbed and named Stephen his successor after all. (Granted, whether that was the truth or a convenient fiction remains debatable.)
    During the Battle of Lincoln, he fought on after his supporters had fled the field, until he was overwhelmed by superior numbers.
    While he was in captivity, his brother Henry, Bishop of Winchester, tried to cut a deal with Empress Matilda in which he would arrange for the support of the clergy if she agreed to give him control over church affairs in England. (The deal fell through when the Archbishop of Canterbury refused to go along.)

Credit: C. Fishel


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Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 78 Votes: 64.10% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 147 Votes: 58.50% Annoying