Accession of Henry I.--Robert's Delay in Italy--The Charter of Liberties--Henry's Popularity--Offers his Hand to Matilda--Her Lineage--Obstacles to the Marriage--The Church decides in Favour of it--London at this Period--Coronation of Matilda--Roger of Salisbury--The Marriage--Punishment of William's Favourites--Arrival of Robert in Normandy--Prepares to Attack Henry--Anselm's Services to Henry--Peace effected between the Brothers--Henry's Dispute with Anselm--Strange Policy of the Pope--The Dispute Settled--Death of Anselm--The Earl of Shrewsbury Outlawed--Visit of Robert to England--Campaigns in Normandy--Robert and Edgar Atheling taken Prisoners--Fate of Edgar--Captivity and Death of Robert--Normandy in Possession of Henry--The English King and his Nephew--Return of the King to England--Betrothal of Henry's Daughter Matilda to the Emperor of Germany--War with the Welsh--Death of the Queen--Renewed War in Normandy--Henry before the Council of Rheims--Battle of Brenneville--Treaty of Peace--Shipwreck and Death of the King's Son--Henry's Grief--Character of Prince William--More Trouble in Normandy--The Empress Matilda declared Successor to the Throne--Her Marriage with the Count of Anjou--Death of William of Normandy--Last Years of the King's Life--Death of Henry 152
Stephen of Blois--Arrival in England--His Coronation--Pope Innocent's Letter--Claims of Matilda--The Earl of Gloucester's Policy--Revolt of the Barons--The King of Scotland Invades England--The Battle of Northallerton--Outrage on the Bishops of Salisbury, Lincoln, and Ely--The Synod of Winchester--Landing of the Empress Matilda--Outbreak of Civil War--Battle at Lincoln--Defeat and Capture of Stephen--Matilda's Arrogant Behaviour--Rising of the Londoners and Flight of Matilda--London Re-occupied by the King's Adherents--Matilda Besieged in Winchester--Exchange of the Earl of Gloucester for the King--Stephen Resumes the Crown--Reign of Terror--Siege of Oxford--Flight of Matilda--Desultory Warfare--Death of the Earl of Gloucester--Stephen's Quarrel with the Church--The Interdict Removed--Further Dangers from Normandy--Divorce of Eleanor--Her Marriage with Prince Henry--Landing of Henry in England--Unpopularity of the War--Violence and Death of Eustace--Treaty Arranged between Henry and the King--Death of Stephen 167