The Fallen Crown (26 page)

Then arose the shouts afresh, all rushing against him and him against all. At length through the number of the blows, the king's battle-axe was broken asunder. Instantly, with his right hand, drawing his sword, well worthy of a king, he marvellously waged the combat, until the sword as well was broken asunder."- Roger de Hoveden
(Written shortly after the battle)

The battle was fought outside the city walls.  As the castle was still held by Maud this was not a good position and even though they outnumbered the army of Robert of Gloucester, many of his leaders suggested he flee to London.  Stephen was many things but he was not a coward and he stood his ground. Stephen and his men fought on foot. Initially he had some success and destroyed the Welsh infantry.  Then the King was attacked by Robert of Gloucester.  Many of Stephen's senior lords fled.  He fought on, using his war axe.  He killed many knights before he broke his own axe and was defeated and captured.

The secret deal with Henry of Blois was true as was the visit of the Archbishop of Canterbury to Stephen.  He did agree to allow his people to swear fealty to Matilda. The East conference confirmed her as Lady of England and Normandy as a precursor to her coronation. She was not crowned as London rose up and drove her out.  She fled to Oxford with her followers.  The war was not over and another twist would soon take place.... that is another book!

Books used in the research:

The Varangian Guard- 988-1453 Raffael D’Amato

Saxon Viking and Norman- Terence Wise

The Walls of Constantinople AD 324-1453-Stephen Turnbull

Byzantine Armies- 886-1118- Ian Heath

The Age of Charlemagne-David Nicolle

The Normans- David Nicolle

Norman Knight AD 950-1204- Christopher Gravett

The Norman Conquest of the North- William A Kappelle

The Knight in History- Francis Gies

The Norman Achievement- Richard F Cassady

Knights- Constance Brittain Bouchard

Knight Templar 1120-1312 -Helen Nicholson

Griff Hosker

June 2016

If you enjoyed reading this book then why not read another one by the author?

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The Sword of Cartimandua Series
(Germania and Britannia 50A.D. – 128 A.D.)

Ulpius Felix- Roman Warrior (prequel)

Book 1 The Sword of Cartimandua

Book 2 The Horse Warriors

Book 3 Invasion Caledonia

Book 4 Roman Retreat

Book 5 Revolt of the Red Witch

Book 6 Druid’s Gold

Book 7 Trajan’s Hunters

Book 8 The Last Frontier

Book 9 Hero of Rome

Book 10 Roman Hawk

Book 11 Roman Treachery

Book 12 Roman Wall

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Book 1 Housecarl

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Book 3 Varangian

The Wolf Warrior series
(Britain in the late 6th Century)

Book 1 Saxon Dawn

Book 2 Saxon Revenge

Book 3 Saxon England

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Book 5 Saxon Slayer

Book 6 Saxon Slaughter

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Book 2 Viking Warrior

Book 3 Viking Jarl

Book 4 Viking Kingdom

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Book 6 Viking War

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The Fallen Crown

Modern History

The Napoleonic Horseman Series

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Book 2 Napoleon’s Guard

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Book 4 Soldier Spy

Book 5 1808: The Road to Corunna

Waterloo

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1914

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Great Granny’s Ghost (Aimed at 9-14 year old young people)

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For more information on all of the books then please visit the author’s web site at
http://www.griffhosker.com
where there is a link to contact him.