The Troubled Reign of King Stephen: 1135-1154

From the author John T. Appleby, "Stephen was weak enough to allow his authority to be challenged yet strong enough to meet those challenges and preserve his authority. His reign provided a breathing-space between the reigns of Henry I and Henry II during which his men first revolted against a central government and then, dismayed by the results of their revolts, came to see the necessity for a strong central government and in some cases to welcome it."