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
Bagrat I of Abkhazia Bagrat I of Abkhazia Bagrat I () was the King of Abkhazia between 882 and 894. He was the second son of Demetrius II of the Anchabadze dynasty. After the usurper John Shavliani seized the throne Bagrat fled to Constantinople and lived there for some time until he returned to Abkhazia in 887/888. He deposed and put to death Adarnase Shavliani (the son of John Shavliani) and reclaimed the throne. Then he married to the daughter of Guaram Bagrationi, the ruler of Tao-Klarjeti and had a son Constantine who succeeded him to the throne of Abkhazia. Bagrat supported his brother-in-law,