The reign of King Stephen (1135-54) has usually been seen as uniquely disastrous in the history of the medieval England -- a county riven by a civil war between Stephen and his first cousin, the Empress Matilda, and by an anarchy during which over mighty barons laid waste the country and 'Christ and his saints slept'. Donald Matthew challenges this picture. By questioning such melodramatic assumptions, and by looking clearly at what can and cannot be known about Stephen, he brings new light to both the king and his reign. He shows that much of what has been written about Stephen has been based on the selective use of the testimony of hostile witnesses, and has been shot through by wishful thinking or by the political or historical prejudices of the day. King Stephen is an important, well-written and timely reinterpretation of the crisis of Norman government.
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Book Description
The reign of King Stephen (1135-54) has usually been seen as uniquely disasterous in the history of the medieval England -- a counrty riven by a civil war between Stephen and his first cousin, the Empress Matilda, and by an anarchy during which overmighty barons laid waste the country and 'Christ and his saints slept'. Donald Matthew challenges this picture. By questioning such melodramatic assumptions, and by looking clearly at what can and cannot be known about Stephen, he brings new light to both the king and his reign. He shows that much of what has been written about Stephen has been based on the selective use of the testimony of hostile witnesses, and has been shot through by wishful thinking or by the political or historical prejudices of the day. King Stephen is an important, well-written and timely reinterpretation of the crisis of Norman government.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Donald Matthew is Professor Emeritus of Medieval History at Reading University.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Solid History!,
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This review is from: King Stephen (Paperback)
I was looking for info on the relatively obscure King Stephen and this book is surely the definitive text on the subject.Be warned, Stephen is not the most interesting monarch in medieval history and this book is exhaustive and heavy going academic stuff!
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
King Stephen,
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This review is from: King Stephen (Hardcover)
I was hoping for a text that would be easier to read. Matthew is at best ponderous. There is good, solid information here, but the author's stilted style virtually overcomes the usefulness of the information.
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