Treaty of Durham

Timeline

1. 1138–1139Northern English border · EnglandThough defeated at the Battle of the Standard, the Scottish army retained its offensive capability, and northern England was exhausted by war. Through intermediaries of churchmen and border lords, the two sides began negotiating over territory, fiefs, and prisoner exchanges, paving the way for a formal treaty.
2. 1139Durham · DurhamStephen and David I formally concluded the treaty at Durham. David recognized Stephen as King of England; Stephen granted David's son Henry the chief fiefs of Carlisle, Cumberland, and Westmorland, and gave Huntingdon and Doncaster to David's other two sons. Stephen's son Eustace was recognized as heir to Normandy, and the two sides exchanged prisoners.
3. 1139England · EnglandThe treaty temporarily freed Stephen from the northern threat, allowing him to concentrate his forces against Robert of Gloucester and the impending landing of Matilda. However, the cession of northern lands also angered some English nobles, who saw the king as too weak in trading territory for peace, sowing the seeds of later baronial rebellions.