WI: Stephen of Blois remains King of England?

I've been reading about Stephen of Blois, probably one of the least heard-about English monarchs, and the struggle between him and Empress Matilda for the throne.

The civil war that would become known as 'The Anarchy' ultimately lasted from 1139 to 1153, when Stephen died and Henry II came to the throne. But, as I'm always a sucker for underdogs, I started looking for how Stephen could have defeated Matilda. The best, I think, I found was in 1140, when Stephen besieged Arundel Castle where Matilda was staying. IOTL, Stephen was persuaded by his brother, Henry, Bishop of Winchester, to release Matilda.

What would happen if Stephen hadn't called off the siege? Obviously, he'd still have Robert of Gloucester, and likely Geoffrey of Anjou to worry about.
 
I've been reading about Stephen of Blois, probably one of the least heard-about English monarchs, and the struggle between him and Empress Matilda for the throne.

The civil war that would become known as 'The Anarchy' ultimately lasted from 1139 to 1153, when Stephen died and Henry II came to the throne. But, as I'm always a sucker for underdogs, I started looking for how Stephen could have defeated Matilda. The best, I think, I found was in 1140, when Stephen besieged Arundel Castle where Matilda was staying. IOTL, Stephen was persuaded by his brother, Henry, Bishop of Winchester, to release Matilda.

What would happen if Stephen hadn't called off the siege? Obviously, he'd still have Robert of Gloucester, and likely Geoffrey of Anjou to worry about.

I guess England would have a lot less fiefs in the continent. If you mean that Stephen not only remains king, but also manages his son Eustace to succeed him (don't remember if he was still alive in this PoD), this means that Matilda's son Henry won't succed. If he doesn't marries Eleanor of Aquitaine, well, England simply never acquires it.

This also butterflies the 100 Years War and such. At least the Anglo-French wars that eventually happen will be due to the French crown desiring the controle of Normandy.
 
I guess England would have a lot less fiefs in the continent. If you mean that Stephen not only remains king, but also manages his son Eustace to succeed him (don't remember if he was still alive in this PoD), this means that Matilda's son Henry won't succed. If he doesn't marries Eleanor of Aquitaine, well, England simply never acquires it.

This also butterflies the 100 Years War and such. At least the Anglo-French wars that eventually happen will be due to the French crown desiring the controle of Normandy.

Yes, Eustace of Boulogne is still alive in this POD and married to, or due to marry at least, Constance, daughter of Louis VI of France.
 
Bumping for interest.

I've thought a bit more, and maybe another POD is that Matilda fails to escape during the Siege of Oxford in 1142. This is already after Matilda had been ousted from London for acting imperiously. Stephen's still got Robert of Gloucester, Geoffrey of Anjou and Geoffrey and Matilda's sons to deal with, but would the imprisonment and/or death of Matilda in captivity help or hurt Stephen's cause?
 
I think Stephen of Blois also needs to strip the Angevins of the County of Maine, the House of Blois have a claim to the County of Maine.
 
I think Stephen of Blois also needs to strip the Angevins of the County of Maine, the House of Blois have a claim to the County of Maine.

I don't think "strip" is the right word. Anjou wasn't enfiefed from the de Blois, was it? If not, Stephen asserting his claim would require a messy intrational war, due to them both being vassals of the French king in continental possessions. Not nly is that not feasible during a civil war, but, because Whoever is king of England has far more of an independent power base than the Duke of Anjou, Louis may openly side with the Angevins.
 
Probably the biggest game changer was the death of Stephen's son Eustace. Without a credible heir (William the second son was too young) he was on a hiding to nothing.
 
I think Stephen of Blois also needs to strip the Angevins of the County of Maine, the House of Blois have a claim to the County of Maine.

The last Norman to rule the County of Maine was Robert Curthose. The Normans were thrown out in 1069 and replaced with Hugh D'Este. Then he sold it to his cousin, Elias de la Flèche, whose daughter married Fulk V of Anjou, the future King of Jerusalem and father of Geoffrey the Handsome.

So no claim on Maine for Stephen.

I don't think "strip" is the right word. Anjou wasn't enfiefed from the de Blois, was it? If not, Stephen asserting his claim would require a messy intrational war, due to them both being vassals of the French king in continental possessions. Not nly is that not feasible during a civil war, but, because Whoever is king of England has far more of an independent power base than the Duke of Anjou, Louis may openly side with the Angevins.

Louis VII tended to side more with Stephen, it seems. Eustace was married to Louis' sister Constance since 1140, and in 1151 both Eustace and Louis led a raid against Normandy. Though he was involved in a war with Stephen's brother, Theobald II of Champagne.

Probably the biggest game changer was the death of Stephen's son Eustace. Without a credible heir (William the second son was too young) he was on a hiding to nothing.

Actually, between the emergence of Henry Plantagenet and Eustace's death, Stephen was unsuccessful in getting Eustace to be recognised as his heir because people thought the Anarchy would go on if they did.

If Matilda is captured for good in 1142, Henry is only 9 or 10 years old. His father wasn't too interested in England, and Henry might not grow up to be as ambitious as he was IOTL without his mother around.
 
The last Norman to rule the County of Maine was Robert Curthose. The Normans were thrown out in 1069 and replaced with Hugh D'Este. Then he sold it to his cousin, Elias de la Flèche, whose daughter married Fulk V of Anjou, the future King of Jerusalem and father of Geoffrey the Handsome.

So no claim on Maine for Stephen.

Hugh of Maine is Stephen of Blois' grand-uncle, Hugh of Maine sold Maine to Elias de la Flèche, he could claim Maine as the successor of his grandfather, Stephen Henry claims to Maine.
 
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