The Library of Seleone

  • Barony of Seleone
  • The Library of Seleone
  • Kings & Queens of Medieval England

  • Previous King
  • Next King

Kings & Queens of Medieval England

Stephen I

by Morgan of Osprey

  • Originally published in A Sealion's Tale

This is a series of articles dealing with the British nobility beginning with William the Conqueror in 1066 and ending with Henry VIII circa 1530. The information within has been compiled from multiple resources and a bibliography will follow the completed work.  Beginning with the Normans, the Plantagenets, the Lancasters, the Yorks, and then finally, the Tudors.

Stephen I: the only son of William I to be born in England, he usurped the throne from Matilda and his reign was mostly marred by civil war; some loyal to him and some loyal to Matilda’s claim to the throne. Considered more studious than his brothers or his father, he displayed the ability to win over his Saxon nobles and subjects more readily. From 1135 to 1141, the Earl of Norfolk and Robert, Earl of Gloucester and David I, King of Scotland fight various battles. Matilda is crowned in 1141. However in 1145, henry defeats Matilda’s forces and she abandons the cause and leaves England. In 1153, Stephen and Matilda’s son, Henry, Count of Anjou, agrees to cease hostilities and under the terms of the Treaty of Westminster, Stephen remains King for life and then the crown passes to Henry.

Stephen dies the next year in 1154.

This is the recognized website for the Barony of Seleone of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. It was created by Lady Lyneyea of Aston-upon-Trent and Isabel the Mad. This site is best viewed with IE 4.1 or higher with a screen resolution of 800 x 600. Efforts have been made to enable this site for the sight-impaired. This site may contain electronic versions of the group's governing documents. Any discrepancies between the electronic version and the printed version that is available from the originating office will be decided in favor of the printed version. For information on using photographs, articles or artwork from this website, please contact the webminister: lyneyea@cableone.net They will assist you in contacting the original creator of the piece. Please respect the legal rights of our contributors. Copyright 2004-2007, Barony of Seleone. The original contributors retain the copyright of certain portions of this site.