King Stephen of England (1135-1154) ascended to the throne after the death of his cousin, Henry I. However, his reign was plagued by a bloody civil war known as the Anarchy. Rival claimant Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I, challenged Stephen's succession, leading to a prolonged and devastating conflict. The war engulfed England, with mercenaries and rival barons wreaking havoc. Stephen was captured twice by Matilda's forces, and the kingdom descended into chaos and disorder. The Anarchy ended in 1153 with the Treaty of Winchester, recognizing Matilda's son, Henry II, as Stephen's successor and restoring stability to England.
