Hello and welcome to the History of England Episode 33, Ameki II, Matilda's Big

Chance. By the end of 1139, Stephen pretty much knew what he was dealing with, and Matilda

pretty much knew the extent of her support too. Stephen could count on the broad support

of the vast majority of the English ability. Matilda had a clutch of Lord supporting

her, many of whom were actually family. Robert of Gloucester and Reginald of Cornwall

were family. Plus they were joined by Miles of Gloucester, Brian Fitzcount. And she also

had Nigel of Ely on her side, but before the end of 1139, Stephen had thrown Nigel out

of Ely, and the result was confined back to the south west of England, sent it on Bristol,

with a salient as far east as Wallingford. The Anarchy is as clear a demonstration of the

nature of medieval warfare as you get. With a couple of exceptions, it's a war of attrition

along, drawn out a fair of siege and counter siege, where more territory changes hands through

shifting alliances than through direct warfare. At the start of 1140, neither side would

have been entirely happy or entirely discouraged. Stephen's job was to set about reducing all

those councils that were held against the Royal Authority. While Matilda's was to consolidate

the areas she held, I get a few more barrens to defect.

Stephen also sought to mobilize his own supporters by granting them new titles, based on land

that had been seized by the opposition. So, for example, he made Waller and Beaumont

the Earl of Worcester. Since Worcester had already been taken by the rebels, he'd have

to go and make the title a reality himself. He then did the same thing in making Robert

Beaumont the Earl of Hariford. Both the Beaumont brothers were, of course, very much

his loyal supporters. So, you also use the granting of Eldams to tie in men that he's

a bit worried about, because they hold vital positions, and he thinks they might be just

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