Hugh Bigod, 1st Earl of Norfolk Hugh became Constable of Norwich Castle in 1122. Hugh initially supported Stephen of Blois as king of England. On the death of Henry I in 1135, his nephew Stephen usurped the throne, despite the oath Stephen and the barons had sworn to accept Henry's daughter Empress Matilda as his successor. It was Bigod who asserted that, in his last days, Henry I had named Stephen to become king at the expense of his daughter Matilda. Civil war resulted when, in 1139 Matilda, commanded the military strength necessary to challenge Stephen within his own realm. King Stephen had the initial support
Henry I, Count of Eu Henry I, Count of Eu Henry I, Count of Eu and Lord of Hastings (ca. 1075-12 July 1140) was the son of William II, Count of Eu, and his wife Helisende d'Avranches was the sister of Hugh d'Avranches, Earl of Chester. Henry descended from Richard I, Duke of Normandy. His father died in 1096, having revolted against King William II of England. As the eldest son, Henry succeeded William as Count of Eu and Lord of Hastings. In 1101, he supported Duke Robert Curthose against his brother Henry Beauclerc who has just seized the English throne. Robert left Tréport, the