Thursday, 11 April 2013

The arms of Stephen as King of England








The arms of Stephen as King of England. These show two golden lions with blue tongues and claws in the pose known as “passsant gaurdant” on a red field. At this date heraldry was being codified and systemised as knights used emblems on their shields to identify themselves in battle. Earlier kings had used two lions in a variety of poses and colours. The familiar third lion was added by King Richard I in about 1095.

from "The Battle of Lincoln 1141" by Rupert Matthews.
Buy your copy HERE


Book Description

28 April 2013 Bretwalda Battles No 4
A book dedicated to the Siege of Lincoln that marked a turning point in the Wars of Anarchy during the reign of King Stephen. A civil war between King Stephen and his rival Empress Matilda broke out in 1136. By 1141 England had fallen in to near anarchy with nobles using the unrest to pursue local feuds, slaughter rivals and pillage each other's land. In 1141 Stephen moved to capture Lincoln Castle and put down one such recalcitrant nobleman. While there he was surprised and attacked by a larger army led by Matilda. The ensuing battle was complex and confused, but it ended with Stephen utterly defeated - for now. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The "Bretwalda Battles" series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format.

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