ABSTRACT
One of the most puzzling features of Stephen's reign is the way in which it came to an end. The obvious ending would have been a battle royal between him and Duke Henry, but though from 1150 onwards the stage seemed set, the battle never happened. In part this was due to the fact that, once back in Normandy, Duke Henry became so involved in continental affairs that it proved impossible for him to return to England till 1153, but even when he did return there was still no major battle. The truth of the matter was that no such battle could be fought without the magnates, and the magnates were determined that it should not be fought at all. Because the chronicles record little about events in England during the years 1150-52, it has been thought that the magnates, exhausted by internecine war, were no longer in a position to challenge Stephen's government. But this was not so.
