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
History of the English line of succession to the French succession. On the day of Henry IV's death, 20 March 1413, the line of succession to the English throne following agnatic primogeniture was: Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Henry V. On the day of Henry V's death, 31 August 1422, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was: Upon his death, the throne passed smoothly to the first person in line, who became Henry VI. On the day of Henry VI's first deposition, 4 March 1461, the line of succession following agnatic primogeniture was; However, during the