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
Sussex in the High Middle Ages England was unsuccessful. Following charges against Robert de Bellême around his support for the failed invasion of Robert Curthose, Robert de Bellême fortified Arundel Castle around 1101. This led to forces of Henry I besieging Arundel Castle in 1102 for 3 months, building siege castles in the vicinity of Arundel including probably at Warningcamp and perhaps Ford. Henry I's forces confiscated the castle and held it himself. As the second wife of Henry I Adeliza of Louvain was Queen of England from 1121 until Henry's death in 1135. On their marriage in 1121 Henry gave Adeliza the city of Chichester