Stephen : the reign of anarchy [WorldCat Entities]

"Known as 'The Anarchy', the reign of Stephen, saw England plunged into a civil war that illuminated the fatal flaw in the powerful Norman monarchy, that without clear rules ordering succession, conflict between members of William the Conqueror's family were inevitable. In 1135 the popular Stephen was elected king, but by 1153, Stephen had lost control over Normandy and other important regions, England had lost prestige, and the weakened king was forced to cede his family's right to succession."