Conflict between Stephen and the Bishops

Timeline

1. 1136–1139Canterbury · KentAfter Archbishop William de Corbeil of Canterbury died in 1136, Stephen pushed hard for his brother Henry, Bishop of Winchester, to succeed, but the church electoral college chose Theobald, Abbot of Bec. After taking office Theobald repeatedly clashed with Stephen over ecclesiastical jurisdiction, episcopal appointments, and financial matters, and trust in the king among England's church leaders declined.
2. 1139Oxford · EnglandStephen held a royal council at Oxford and, on the grounds that Roger, Bishop of Salisbury, sheltered traitors and built illegal castles, ordered the arrest of Roger and his nephew Roger le Poer, Bishop of Selsey. Alexander of Lincoln and Nigel, Bishop of Ely, were also detained. This seriously violated the tradition of church immunity and enraged Archbishop Theobald and the Roman Curia.
3. 1139–1140South-central England · EnglandArchbishop Theobald went abroad to appeal to Pope Innocent II, and after gaining support returned to publicly denounce Stephen. Roger le Poer, once released, took up arms in rebellion, seizing Waud Castle. Relations between church and king broke down, some bishops turned to sympathize with or secretly support Matilda, and royal authority lost important moral standing, deepening the political divisions of The Anarchy.