Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-53

A detailed examination of the Anarchy, the civil war in England and Normandy between King Stephen (reigned 1135–1154) and Empress Matilda (also known as Maud), daughter of Henry I. Bradbury, a historian specializing in medieval warfare, analyzes the conflict’s origins, key events, and resolution, arguing that it was a dynastic struggle exacerbated by weak governance and regional power dynamics rather than a total breakdown of order.

The war stemmed from the succession crisis after Henry I’s death in 1135. Henry had designated Matilda, his surviving legitimate child and widow of Emperor Henry V, as heir, but the Anglo-Norman nobility preferred Stephen, Count of Blois, Henry’s nephew, who seized the throne with support from key barons like Roger of Salisbury. Matilda, backed by her half-brother Robert of Gloucester and her second husband, Geoffrey of Anjou, invaded England in 1139, initiating the conflict.

Bradbury argues the conflict’s impact was overstated by contemporaries like the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, with localized violence rather than nationwide chaos. Stephen’s military leadership was competent, but his lack of decisive allies and Matilda’s gender hindered her cause, though her persistence secured the Plantagenet succession.

The book challenges the “anarchy” label, suggesting economic and social continuity persisted, supported by evidence like Domesday Book successors and coinage stability. However, it may underplay the human cost—castles and raids disrupted rural life—and relies heavily on narrative sources, potentially missing subaltern perspectives. Bradbury’s focus on military tactics sometimes overshadows political or gender dynamics, though he notes Matilda’s exclusion as a woman shaped the conflict’s course.