Stephen, King of England Robert of Gloucester rebelled against the King, starting the descent into civil war in England. An illegitimate son of Henry I and the half-brother of the Empress Matilda, Robert was one of the most powerful Anglo-Norman barons, controlling estates in Normandy as well as the Earldom of Gloucester. He was known for his qualities as a statesman, his military experience, and leadership ability. Robert had tried to convince Theobald to take the throne in 1135; he did not attend Stephen's first court in 1136 and it took several summons to convince him to attend court at Oxford later that year.
Kingdom of England Bede). The name "Engla land" became "England" by haplology during the Middle English period ("Engle-land", "Engelond"). The Latin name was "Anglia" or "Anglorum terra", the Old French and Anglo-Norman one "Angleterre". By the 14th century, "England" was also used in reference to the entire island of Great Britain. The standard title for monarchs from Æthelstan until John was ' ("King of the English"). Canute the Great, a Dane, was the first to call himself "King of England". In the Norman period ' remained standard, with occasional use of ' ("King of England"). From John's reign onwards all other titles were