Stephen of Blois--Arrival in England--His Coronation--Pope Innocent's Letter--Claims of Matilda--The Earl of Gloucester's Policy--Revolt of the Barons--The King of Scotland Invades England--The Battle of Northallerton--Outrage on the Bishops of Salisbury, Lincoln, and Ely--The Synod of Winchester--Landing of the Empress Matilda--Outbreak of Civil War--Battle at Lincoln--Defeat and Capture of Stephen--Matilda's Arrogant Behaviour--Rising of the Londoners and Flight of Matilda--London Re-occupied by the King's Adherents--Matilda Besieged in Winchester--Exchange of the Earl of Gloucester for the King--Stephen Resumes the Crown--Reign of Terror--Siege of Oxford--Flight of Matilda--Desultory Warfare--Death of the Earl of Gloucester--Stephen's Quarrel with the Church--The Interdict Removed--Further Dangers from Normandy--Divorce of Eleanor--Her Marriage with Prince Henry--Landing of Henry in England--Unpopularity of the War--Violence and Death of Eustace--Treaty Arranged between Henry and the King--Death of Stephen 167 CHAPTER XVII. THE REIGN OF HENRY II. Accession of Henry Plantagenet--Royal Entry into Winchester--Expulsion of the Flemings--Henry's Dealings with the Barons--Siege of Bridgenorth Castle--The King's Quarrel with Geoffrey--Henry's Magnificence--War with, and Submission of, the Welsh--The King in Brittany--Alarm of the King of France at Henry's Schemes of Aggrandisement--Henry's Designs on Toulouse--Origin of _Scutage_--Peace with Louis--The People of Languedoc--Louis' Third Marriage--Fresh Rupture between the Two Kings--Marriage of Henry's Son and Louis' Daughter--The Two Popes--Renewed Reconciliation 180 CHAPTER XVIII. THE REIGN OF HENRY II.(_continued_).--CAREER OF THOMAS BECKET. Early Life of Becket--Rapid Advance in the King's Service--Magnificence of his Embassy to Paris--The King, the Chancellor, and the Beggar--Depravity of the Clergy--Becket's Reforming Zeal--Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury--Extraordinary Change in his Habits--At Frequent Issue with the King--The Council of Clarendon--Becket Defies the King--Popularity with the People--His Flight from Northampton--Arrival at St. Omer--Obtains the Support of Louis and the Pope--Henry's Edict of Banishment--Defeat of the English by the Welsh--Insurrection in Brittany--Becket Excommunicates his Opponents--Henry's Anger--The Pope's Action against Becket--Interview between Becket and the King--The Two Reconciled--Return of Becket to England--His Christmas Sermon--The King's Fury--The Vow of the Conspirators--Scene in Becket's House--Murder of the Archbishop--Henry's Grief--Review of Becket's Career 187 CHAPTER XIX.