The Anarchy The Anarchy The Anarchy was a civil war in England and Normandy between 1135 and 1153, which resulted in a widespread breakdown in law and order. The conflict was a succession crisis precipitated by the accidental death of William Adelin, the only legitimate son of Henry I, in a shipwreck in 1120. Henry's attempts to install his daughter, the Empress Matilda, as his successor were unsuccessful and on Henry's death in 1135, his nephew Stephen of Blois seized the throne with the help of Stephen's brother, Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester. Stephen's early reign was marked by fierce fighting
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