1130s in England

Updated on Dec 07, 2024

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Events from the 1130s in England.

Incumbents

Monarch - Henry I (to 1 December 1135), Stephen

Events

1130

New choir of Canterbury Cathedral completed.

1131

8 September - The barons swear allegiance to Matilda as the true heir of Henry I of England.

Cistercians found Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire.

Gilbertine Order of nuns founded by Gilbert of Sempringham in Lincolnshire, the only completely English religious order.

1132

Benedictines found Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire.

1133

August - King Henry I leaves England for the last time for Normandy.

A royal charter establishes the first annual Bartholomew Fair at Smithfield, London; later to become England's largest cloth fair.

First Bishop of Carlisle (Æthelwold) consecrated.

Rebuilt Exeter Cathedral consecrated.

1134

Byland Abbey founded by the Congregation of Savigny.

1135

1 December - King Henry I dies (at Lyons-la-Forêt in Normandy) having nominated Matilda as his heir.

22 December - Stephen of Blois, nephew of Henry I, claims the throne.

26 December - Coronation of Stephen of England at Westminster Abbey.

A fire in London seriously damages St Paul's Cathedral and London Bridge.

Bruton Abbey and Buildwas Abbey founded.

1136

1 January - Revolt in Wales; Welsh capture Swansea and Cardigan from the Normans.

4 January - Henry I is buried in his foundation, Reading Abbey (tomb dedicated 1 December).

5 February - By the Treaty of Durham, Stephen concedes Cumberland to David I of Scotland.

Hospital of St Cross, an almshouse in Winchester, is established by Bishop Henry of Blois; it will still be functioning in the 21st century.

Geoffrey of Monmouth writes Historia Regum Britanniae.

1137

March - Stephen fails in his attempt to re-capture Normandy from Matilda.

June - York Minster and city are severely damaged by a fire, but the Minster is soon rebuilt.

Rochester Cathedral is severely damaged by a fire, but is soon rebuilt.

1138

January–February - King David I of Scotland raids Northumberland, taking the Bishop of Durham's Norham Castle (garrisoned only by nine), and besieges the castle at Wark on Tweed.

May - The Anarchy: Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, leads a rebellion against King Stephen in favour of his half-sister Matilda.

10 June - Battle of Clitheroe: Having harried Craven in Yorkshire, David I of Scotland's nephew William fitz Duncan meets and defeats an English force on the edge of the Bowland Fells.

22 August - Battle of the Standard: English army defeats that of David I of Scotland at Cowton Moor near Northallerton in Yorkshire.

Alcester Abbey and Bourne Abbey established.

1139

8 January - Theobald of Bec enthroned as Archbishop of Canterbury.

9 April - The second Treaty of Durham between King Stephen of England and David I of Scotland; David's son Earl Henry takes control of most of Northumberland, excluding Bamburgh and Newcastle upon Tyne.

June - Stephen orders the arrest of Roger of Salisbury, Justiciar and Bishop of Salisbury, and Alexander of Lincoln, Bishop of Lincoln.

30 September - The Anarchy: Empress Matilda lands near Arundel to begin her campaign to regain the throne from Stephen.

7 November - The Anarchy: Gloucester's army sacks Worcester.