X-Nico

unusual facts about The Anarchy



Adulterine castle

During the civil war of the Anarchy, fought between the factions of Stephen of England and the Empress Matilda, both sides built a number of new castles to defend their territories and act as bases for expansion, typically motte and bailey designs such as those at Winchcombe, Upper Slaughter, or Bampton by the Empress's followers.

Cary Castle

During The Anarchy Robert was exiled by King Stephen and the castle given to Ralph Lovel who then sided with Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester against the king.


see also

Articles of Eyre

The eyre of 1194, was intitiated under Hubert Walter's justiciarship to restore royal justice following the anarchy of Prince John's rebellion.

Cultural depictions of the Anarchy

George Shipway's novel Knight in Anarchy (1969) centres on a knight sworn to Geoffrey de Mandeville as he tries to gain power in the Anarchy.

Graham Shelby's 1972 novel The Oath and the Sword (aka The Villains of the Piece), focuses on Empress Matilda's faithful supporter Brien FitzCount, Lord of Wallingford, through the years of the Anarchy.

Manuel Pavía y Rodríguez de Alburquerque

On three occasions during the eventful year 1873, as captain-general of Madrid, he offered his services to put an end to the anarchy that was raging in the provinces and to the disorganization prevalent in the Cortes.

Odo, Count of Penthièvre

During the Anarchy, Alan the Black II claimed Cornwall on the basis of his uncle Brian having held it; a claim that was accepted by King Stephen.

Robert of Gloucester

Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester (~1090-31 October 1147), a major figure in The Anarchy and supporter of Empress Matilda against King Stephen