William of Ypres to the English throne following Henry I's death in 1135 finally changed William's fortunes for the better. He commanded Stephen's troops against the forces of their cousin, Henry's daughter Empress Matilda, who claimed the throne. Many of the soldiers were William's fellow Flemings, including his brother. Stephen's campaign in Normandy failed because the local noblemen refused to co-operate with William and other Flemings. William was much more active in England, where he took part in the Battle of Lincoln (1141), during which Stephen was captured by the Empress's forces. William led his contingent away when it became clear that the
Henry I of Castile Henry I of Castile Henry I of Castile (14 April 1204 – 6 June 1217) was king of Castile. He was the son of Alfonso VIII of Castile and Eleanor of England, Queen of Castile (daughter of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine). In 1211 Henry became heir to the throne when his older brother Ferdinand suddenly died. When his father died in 1214 Henry was just 10 years old so the regency was assumed by Henry's older sister Berengaria of Castile, wife of Alfonso IX of Leon. In 1215 Henry married Mafalda of Portugal, daughter of Sancho