n.
or Stephen of Blois
born 0441; 1097
died Oct. 25, 1154
King of England (113554).
The nephew of Henry I , he pledged to support Matilda but claimed the throne himself. In the civil strife that followed, he was unable to win the loyalty of all the barons. Matilda invaded (1139), and, in a display of chivalry, Stephen had her escorted to Bristol. She gained control of most of western England and captured Stephen in battle (1141), but her arrogance provoked a rebellion, and she was forced to leave England (1148). An agreement was reached whereby Matilda's son Henry of Anjou (later Henry II ), who invaded England in 1153, was named as Stephen's successor.