"Stephen and Matilda's Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy" was an interesting read because I liked learning more about such a famous part of British history.

Unfortunately, the writing style didn't really work for me. There were also some repetitions in the text, which made it a rather slow read.

This book was a very comprehensive and an easy read for those who do not know much about the Matilda and Stephen’s Civil War. I recommend this to those that have forgotten about Empress Matilda and her accomplishments!

Considering that most of European royalty is related, it's kind of entertaining to read just how far back their family back-stabbing goes! This is a good read for those interested in early English history. It's well researched and with lots of insights I haven't read or heard of in earlier books, or even remembered from my own history classes.

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War (formerly entitled Cousins of Anarchy) was an excellent and very engaging popular history of the 12th century conflict often known as 'the Anarchy'. The protagonists were two grandchildren of William the Conqueror, Matilda (AKA Empress Maud) and King Stephen.

For readers who know nothing about the period, this book is an excellent choice. It doesn't go into as much depth as some, but is more a summary of key events and figures. I appreciated the slightly more sympathetic appraisal of Stephen reign, and how the author didn't shy away from criticizing Matilda where it was due.

However, I'm not that familiar with this period, and I have to confess that other material I have read by Mr Lewis has caused me to have some serious questions about his objectivity and approach.
It's ironic in a way that some of the same criticisms he levels at other historians and Victorian writers in their depiction of Stephen can also be leveled at him for his treatment of Henry VI and other key figures in 15th century Wars of the Roses.

In the same way as it does Stephen "a disservice to label his reign as lawless and lacking in government" it is also a disservice to the man who established Eton an King's College Cambridge to label him as utterly useless an incompetent. It's a little odd to remember these words praising Stephen were written by the same man who once told us Henry VI deserved to be murdered and wasn't mentally ill but just had autism.

So whilst this is a good book, I would recommend it more as a starting point for those who seek to learn about the events of the first half of the 12th century in England.

Thanks to Pen and Sword for approving my request for this title on Netgalley. This did not influence my review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

When I wrote my underground thesis on Empress Matilda, there was only one biography on her. Since then, I've enjoyed seeing what new research comes out of Empress Matilda and the Anarchy period of medieval English history. This is a well researched contribution to the subject.

AUTHOR

Matthew Lewis was born in England. He obtained a law degree, but history has always been his passion. He has authored numerous historical books, both fiction and non-fiction. You can find his blog here, his Facebook page here, his Goodreads page here, and his Twitter page here.

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

This book is best suited for historians, students of medieval history or anyone who enjoys learning about the English ancient ruling class.


SYNOPSIS

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War is the tale of two cousins fight over the throne of England. King Henry I died in 1135 and had no legitimate male heir. His only legitimate son, William Adelin, drowned in the “White Ship” disaster in 1120. His only other legitimate child was Empress Matilda, a female. No female had ever ruled England at this time, but Henry I wanted her to reign after him. Unfortunately for Matilda she was in Anjou at the time of her father’s death. Her first cousin Stephen of Blois rushed in and usurped the crown in her absence. This led to The Anarchy (civil-war) that endured nearly two decades.

Matthew Lewis composes a compelling tale of a tumultuous time in English history. His research and writing ability are evident throughout the book. He delves into the chaos of the time and brings to light the suffering of all those involved. The war ebbs and flows back and forth with no one really seeming to get the upper hand. The external and internal conflicts surrounding this event in history are too numerous to comprehend, but Matthew does an excellent job. He uses personal accounts, quotes, and even a few images to help the reader try to understand the complexities of the times.

CONCLUSION

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War is an exceptionally researched historic look at The Anarchy. The author is able to describe in detail the look and feel of the era, as if you were standing there observing it in real time. The battles, both political and literal are played out across the pages of this manuscript. A great read for anyone who is interested in medieval England.

I've read many books on the war for the English crown between Stephen and Matilda and really enjoyed this one and recommend it

This book is excellent. Well written, researched, detailed and engaging. This book sheds light on a fascinating but rarely written about period of English history.

Again, this is not a period that I have come into blindly - and have a number of books on the subject matter on my own books shelves. What I found in Lewis' book, with his alternating chapters between Stephen and Matilda, was a more balanced history of this turbulent period.

What he also stresses that whilst this period was called The Anarchy - he questions whether this is correct - did this period between the death of Henry I (1153) and the accession of Henry II (1154) - see a complete and total breakdown and absence of government during Stephen's reign.

It was a civil war in which there were four potential claimants - with only two interested enough to battle it out for a period of 19 years. The actual violence and destruction was not as widespread as is documented by the three main contemporary writers of the times, all of whose accounts are riddled with their own forms of bias. They were in essence, written by churchmen, providing an opportunistic moral lesson at the same time as recounting localised events and their direct effects.

I am taken back to the events of the Norman Conquest, when the death of a King left the playing field wide open - in this instance, we are not only left with a male relative who was favoured by the late King but with a female, whilst of unquestionable royal blood, at a time when such acceptance of a sole female monarch was just not on the cards.

England was hardly the peaceful realm when Stephen took the throne (for succession was still not hereditary at this point) - Normandy was in rebellion, Scotland and Wales were simmering with tension, and the selection of a king was more preferable to ".. the enforcement of lineal descent ...'' and the oaths made under duress, Matilda absent and in no hurry, Stephen was on the spot, and once annointed, few with loathe to remove him.

Lewis portrays both Stephen and Matilda evenly, and this will provide a good introduction into the period.

An exhaustive history of one of the most difficult periods in British history, a time when "Christ and all His saints slept." This book is interesting because it relies more than other books on the subject on primary sources. It also tells the history of this period in alternating chapters focused on the principals.

A good look at the relationship and events between the two. Not chaptered into events or situations - alternates between the two with their side to the situation.

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War by Matthew Lewis is an interesting book and is very well researched. As the author pointed out near the beginning of the book, it can be confusing at times to keep everyone straight but by going slowly and keeping notes (I know, I'm a nerd making notes and family trees), the confusion can be kept to a minimum. If only people consulted a baby names book instead of "honoring" people by naming their children after them! One would think there were only 20 names or so in the world! (Sorry for my very poor attempt at humor.)

In any event, if you have an interest in history, I suggest you check this book out. It covers a period of time that I was not very familiar with and covers it well. It would make a facinating tv series; there is simply too much to tell and trying to cram it all into a movie would do it, and the viewer, a disservice. This seems to me to be a book best read over the winter as one can snugggle up with a hot drink and read to their hearts content. Summer reading should be light fare, this book is meaty and deserves your full attention. Enjoy!

The white ship disaster struck on 25 November 1120 killing William Adelin, the only legitimate son of King Henry I.
Matilda was left as the kings only heir and his death caused the civil war spanning 19 years between 1135 and 1154 known as The Anarchy.
Stephen, the son of Adela who was the daughter of William the conqueror was the cousin of Matilda through her father King Henry I who was a son of William the conqueror.

Upon the death of Henry I, Stephen had himself coronated  as king whilst Matilda remained abroad. When Matilda arrives in England the barons of England are torn who to support. Matildas half brother, Robert Earl of Gloucester the illegitimate son of Henry I supports Matilda and is one of the most powerful barons in the land.

Throughout the years Robert fights for Matildas cause but Stephen is always quick to respond. Upon the death of Robert it seems Matilda loses the will to fight and leaves England only to keep supporting her cause to be passed to her son Henry which eventually brought about the birth of Plantaganet Kings.

I have read little about this era but it is fascinating. Neither cousin wants to be defeated but neither does it seem they wish to harm each other.

There is a great use of contemporary evidence used and the book is clearly well researched. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, The Gesta Stephani and an the account of William of Malmesbury have clearly been researched in detail to provide this highly detailed account of The Anarchy.

I enjoyed the book immensely in particular the direct quotes and the images provided at the end of the book.

However, I would only recommend this to those who have a genuine interest in history.

<b>NOT GOOD, NOT BAD - FORGETTABLE 🙄 </b>

Usually, I write my reviews with a list of good and bad things about the book in question. Sadly, I cannot do that with this one. Nothing jumped out at me as either good or bad. Nothing stood out. It didn't capture my attention. It was not bad in any way - it's just not a book I am going to remember a week from today.

The Civil War between Stephen and Matilda has long captivated historians and readers alike. Cousins fighting over who the crown truly belonged to - and the issues of a woman being on the throne - makes for captivating reading.
This book is no different, and you are going to get sucked in from the beginning! Get ready for the best game of thrones you will ever read!

On the death of King Henry I, the throne should have passed to Matilda, his daughter. While she was not the first choice, she was what the king had left after the White Ship disaster. However, her cousin Stephen swooped in and claimed the crown for himself, setting off decades of a civil war that threatened to tear England apart. While England was not truly ready for a woman to rule, Stephen might not have been the best choice - he was rather soft in several areas (although thank goodness, because we got William Marshall through his softness).
The years of war did not lessen the duties that Matilda had as a wife and mother, and her sons grew up under the banners of war, both from their mother and father. While this could have raged indefinitely, the final resolution was brought about after the death of Stephen's son Eustace (who if we are being completely honest, would have been a horrible king), and put Henry, Duke of Normandy on the throne.

I cannot say enough good things about this book! While I know the ins and outs of this Civil War, Matthew Lewis brought it around in a few ways that I had not considered before. I found myself going back and forth, and comparing different theories through his writing.
Absolutely loved it - and I will be adding this book to my student approved reading list for future semesters!