The King was no sooner dead than all the plans and schemes he had laboured at so long, and lied so much for, crumbled away like a hollow heap of sand.

STEPHEN, whom he had never mistrusted or suspected, started up to claim the throne.
Stephen was the son of ADELA, the Conqueror's daughter, married to the Count of Blois.

To Stephen, and to his brother HENRY, the late King had been liberal; making Henry Bishop of Winchester, and finding a good marriage for Stephen, and much enriching him.

This did not prevent Stephen from hastily producing a false witness, a servant of the late King, to swear that the King had named him for his heir upon his death- bed.

On this evidence the Archbishop of Canterbury crowned him.