Overview

When the mighty Henry I died in December 1135, leaving no legitimate son, who was to replace him on the throne of England? Would it be Stephen, nephew to the king and showered with favours that maybe gave him ideas above his station? Or could it be a woman, Henry's own choice, his daughter Matilda, who had been sent away when eight years old to marry the Holy Roman Emperor, widowed, then forced into a hated second marriage for political reasons? Stephen was the first to act, seizing the throne that had been promised to Matilda, but he would find taking a crown far easier than keeping it. The resulting struggle became known as 'the Anarchy,' a time when fortune changed sides as frequently and dramatically as in any page-turning thriller, and with a cast of characters to match - some passionately supporting Stephen or Matilda, others simply out to grab what they could from the chaos. These supporting players are not overlooked here: Henry of Blois, brother of Stephen, Bishop of Winchester, and largely orchestrator of the church's response to the conflict; Robert of Gloucester, illegitimate son of Henry I and chief supporter of his half-sister; and Geoffrey of Anjou, husband of Matilda, determined to secure Normandy (traditional enemy of Anjou) for himself. Covering all the twists and turns of this war between cousins, as first one side then the other seemed within touching distance of total victory, The Anarchy blends contemporary, sometimes eye-witness accounts with modern analysis to describe a period of England's history so dark and lawless that those who lived through it declared that 'Christ and his saints slept.'

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9781398122512

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Reviews

‘Teresa Cole nimbly negotiates the stunning complexities of succession and dynastic rivalry. She challenges traditional views using new discoveries.’ -- All About History 'I found this an easy yet informative read and would recommend it to anyone wishing to learn more about this turbulent period of history which led, ultimately, to the era of the Plantagenet rulers.' -- Reads, Writes, Reviews, July 2019 'As an introduction to the characters and events of 'The Anarchy' this book is an excellent starting point.' -- Battlefield Magazine, Autumn 2020

Author Information

Teresa Cole was a teacher for many years before turning to writing. She is the author of Henry V: The Life of the Warrior King & the Battle of Agincourt 1415 (“Cole understands the importance of drama … a thorough account of Henry’s life” – History of War Magazine), and three books about the Normans – The Norman Conquest: William the Conqueror’s Subjugation of England, After the Conquest: The Divided Realm 1066-1135, and Anarchy: The Darkest Days of Medieval England. In a new departure, her latest book, Harry of England, looks at the lives and achievements of the eight kings of England who have borne the name Henry.

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