Page:The child's pictorial history of England; (IA childspictorialh00corn).pdf/84

 He left the crown to his daughter Matilda, who had been twice married; first, to the Emperor of Germany, and again to Geoffrey Plantagenet, Earl of Anjou, who was dead also, therefore she was again a widow.

46. But there was a nephew of the late king, named Stephen, who was rather a favorite among the Barons, and was quite willing to take advantage of their good will; so, before Matilda could reach England, her cousin Stephen had mounted the throne.

47. Then there was a civil war in this country, which was carried on, at times, for fifteen years, for a great many French noblemen came here with Matilda to fight for her; and some of the English Barons, who had become dissatisfied with Stephen, because he had not done all they expected he would do, joined the other party, and there was fighting all over the country.

48. Wherever there is civil war, there is sure to be famine and misery of all kinds, and there never was more misery in England than during the reign of king Stephen; for, in order to keep as many of the Barons on his side as he could, he let them do just as they pleased; and he gave titles and estates to a great many bold and bad men, who built castles and kept bands of ruffians, who went at night to rob and plunder the towns