He called on the bishops and baronage to secure the succession of his son Eustace by consenting to his association with him in the kingdom.

But the moment was now come for Theobald to play his part.

He was already negotiating through Thomas of London with Henry and the Pope; he met Stephen's plans by a refusal to swear fealty to his son, and the bishops, in spite of Stephen's threats, went with their head.

The blow was soon followed by a harder one.

Thomas, as Theobald's agent, invited Henry to appear in England, and though the Duke disappointed his supporters' hopes by the scanty number of men he brought with him in 1153, his weakness proved in the end a source of strength.