The Anarchy: everything you wanted to know

<p>The Anarchy – a 12th-century civil war for the English crown that pitted Empress Matilda against Stephen of Blois – is remembered as one of the most turbulent episodes of the Middle Ages. It was said to be a time when “Christ and his saints slept”. Medieval historian Matt Lewis answers your questions on this 18-year struggle for the throne – from the sexism that&nbsp;impeded&nbsp;Matilda’s bid for the throne, to the war’s impact on the power of England’s barons.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>(Ad) Matt Lewis is the author of&nbsp;<em>Stephen and Matilda’s Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy</em>&nbsp;(Pen &amp; Sword, 2019). Buy it now on Amazon:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-Matildas-Civil-War-Cousins/dp/1526718332/?tag=bbchistory045-21&amp;ascsubtag=historyextra-social-hexpod/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stephen-Matildas-Civil-War-Cousins/dp/1526718332/?tag=bbchistory045-21&amp;ascsubtag=historyextra-social-hexpod/</a></p> &#10;&nbsp;<br /><hr><p style='color: grey; font - size: 0.75em; '>See <a style='color: grey; ' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for privacy and opt-out information.</p>