But the growth of their son Henry to manhood set naturally aside the pretensions both of Count Geoffry and Matilda.

Young as he was Henry already showed the cool long-sighted temper which was to be his characteristic on the throne.

Foiled in an early attempt to grasp the crown, he looked quietly on at the disorder which was doing his work till the death of his father at the close of 1151 left him master of Normandy and Anjou.

In the spring of the following year his marriage with its duchess, Eleanor of Poitou, added Aquitaine to his dominions.

Stephen saw the gathering storm, and strove to meet it.