Stephen, King of England began to influence the loyalty of many Anglo-Norman barons, who feared losing their lands in England to Robert and the Empress, and their possessions in Normandy to Geoffrey. Many started to leave Stephen's faction. His friend and advisor Waleran was one of those who decided to defect in mid-1141, crossing into Normandy to secure his ancestral possessions by allying himself with the Angevins, and bringing Worcestershire into the Empress's camp. Waleran's twin brother, Robert of Leicester, effectively withdrew from fighting in the conflict at the same time. Other supporters of the Empress were restored in their former strongholds, such as
The History of the Norman Conquest of England periods aimed at a popular readership: "Old English History for Children", a work he had had in mind since before he began the "History of the Norman Conquest", was published in 1869; "A Short History of the Norman Conquest" in 1880; and "William the Conqueror" in 1888. In 1974 J. W. Burrow produced an abridged edition of the "History of the Norman Conquest of England". Freeman was a man of deeply held convictions, which he expounded in the "History of the Norman Conquest" and other works with vigour and enthusiasm. These included the belief, common to many thinkers of his