Few periods in history have brought women to the fore, to the centre of events, as the Anarchy did in England. From 1135 to 1154, conflict raged when Stephen of Blois usurped the throne that rightfully belonged to his cousin Empress Matilda, widow of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor. During the lifetime of King Henry I - Matilda’s father and Stephen’s uncle – Stephen had twice sworn oaths to guarantee the succession for Matilda. But when the time came and King Henry I died on 1 December 1135, Stephen broke those oaths, and had himself crowned King in Westminster Abbey. If he thought Matilda would just accept losing her crown and stay at home with the children, Stephen was sorely
