Cultural depictions of Stephen, King of England facts for kids

King Stephen of England (born around 1092 to 1096, died October 25, 1154) was a grandson of William the Conqueror. He was the King of England from 1135 until his death. He was also the Count of Boulogne through his wife. His time as king was marked by a civil war against his cousin and rival, the Empress Matilda. This difficult period is known as the Anarchy. Stephen was followed on the throne by Matilda's son, Henry II. Henry II was the first king from the Angevin family. King Stephen has been shown in many different books, plays, and TV shows over the years.

King Stephen in Stories and Books

King Stephen has appeared in many historical novels. These stories help readers imagine what his time was like.

Early Novels Featuring Stephen

Some of the first novels to feature King Stephen include For King or Empress (1904) by C. W. Whistler. Another early book was Armadin (1908) by Alfred Bowker. Stephen also appeared in the 1921 novel The Fool by H. C. Bailey. The 1958 novel To Keep This Oath by Hebe Weenolsen focuses on the struggle for power between Stephen and the future King Henry II.

Stephen in Popular Historical Fiction

King Stephen is an important character in Sharon Kay Penman's 1995 novel When Christ and His Saints Slept. In this book, he is shown as a loving husband and a good fighter. However, he is also seen as a king who sometimes had trouble making decisions. He struggled to control the powerful noblemen in his kingdom.

Stephen also appears in Ellis Peters' historical detective series Brother Cadfael. These mystery stories take place during Stephen's reign. He is featured in two of these books. In One Corpse Too Many (1979), the story happens in August 1138. It is set during Stephen's capture of Shrewsbury. The book mentions his decision to execute the soldiers who had held the city for Empress Maud. In Brother Cadfael's Penance (1994), much of the story takes place during a peace meeting. This meeting was organized by the Church in November 1145. It aimed to bring Stephen and Matilda together to end the civil war.

Cecelia Holland's 1971 novel The Earl (also called Hammer for Princes) shows King Stephen as an older, sad figure. He faces the death of his own son, Eustace. He also has to accept that Prince Henry, his rival's son, will be his heir.

King Stephen is also shown in Ken Follett's very popular novel The Pillars of the Earth (1990). He appears a few times in this book. He is shown more as a warrior than a king. This novel was re-released in 2010.

The series The Janna Mysteries by Felicity Pulman suggests a romantic relationship between Matilda and Stephen. Stephen is also shown as a young lover of Matilda in The Fatal Crown by Ellen Jones. The historical thriller Winter Siege (2014) by Ariana Franklin and Samantha Norman also features Stephen.

King Stephen on TV and Film

King Stephen has not been shown on screen very often. However, he has appeared in a few TV series.

TV Series Portrayals

He was played by Frederick Treves in the 1978 BBC TV series The Devil's Crown. This series told the story of the reigns of Henry II, Richard I, and John.

Stephen was also played by Michael Grandage in "One Corpse Too Many." This was the first episode of the television adaptation of the Cadfael novels (1994).

In the TV mini-series adaptation of The Pillars of the Earth (which first aired in 2010), King Stephen was played by Tony Curran. In this mini-series, Stephen is shown in a more negative way than in the books. The series suggests he was involved in the death of the future king and heir to the throne. In the book, this event was caused by noblemen who wanted a weaker king. In the mini-series, Stephen then promises loyalty to Maud, the dying king's daughter. But as soon as the king dies, Stephen takes the throne. This starts a bloody civil war with Maud, as they both fight for the crown. The mini-series shows Stephen being troubled by visions from the ghost of the king he betrayed.