Page:The Queens of England.djvu/47

MATILDA "THE EMPRESS." 35 twice was he repulsed by the arms of Stephen. In Wales, also, was the cause of Stephen triumphant. Neither in Normandy, where Matilda had long resided, had she been able either to overcome the repugnance of the people to a female sovereign, nor yet to gain their affections. On the death of King Henry, they had invited Theobald, the brother of Stephen, to occupy the dukedom. The following year commenced a' new era in the life of Matilda. A staunch advocate and sincere friend appeared to assert her rights, in the person of Robert, Earl of Gloucester, the illegitimate son of King Henry, who had rendered only a conditional homage to Stephen, and whose talents and firmness made him an object of dread to this monarch. Having preconcerted his plans with the empress, he openly espoused her cause, renounced his allegiance to Stephen, and soon obtained a strong party in Normandy, while in England a still stronger one awaited to join him upon his arrival. The empress, attended by her gallant brother and a train of only one hundred and forty knights, sailed to Portsmouth, and here Earl Robert, supposing Matilda to be in safety, secretly marched off with twelve knights to Bristol, in order to organize his forces. Matilda advanced to Arundel, as has already been men- tioned in the life of her stepmother, Adelais of Louvaine, where she was received by her and William di Albini, and whence she removed to Bristol, a safe convoy having been granted her by Stephen, on the remonstrance of her relations. From Bristol she removed to Gloucester, her party daily gaining ground, and many, both of the clergy and nobility, joining her. The civil war quickly spread throughout the country, each city, and each individual, taking part with Matilda, or Stephen, until in the desperate strife the barons began to burn and pillage the houses of their vassals ; and such, in short, became the general con- sternation, that when the inhabitants of a city or town perceived a few horsemen at a distance, they immediately took to flight ; Matilda and Stephen being equally afraid to restrain these dis- orders, lest they should diminish the number of their adherents. In 1 141, a battle was fought at Lincoln, in which Stephen was defeated and taken prisoner. The Earl of Gloucester treated his captive with kindness, but sent him to Matilda, who by the advice of her Council confined him in Bristol Castle, and loaded him with chains. The barons now unanimously declared for the empress, except in the county of Kent, and in London,