King Stephen of England was a monarch who reigned from 1135 to 1154. He was the grandson of William the Conqueror and came to power after the death of King Henry I. His reign was marked by a period of civil war known as the Anarchy, which was characterized by disputes over the throne and conflicts between rival factions. Stephen's rule faced challenges from his cousin, Empress Matilda, who also claimed the throne. Despite his initial successes, Stephen struggled to maintain control over his kingdom. His reign ended when he agreed to recognize Matilda's son, Henry II, as his successor, leading to the establishment of the Plantagenet dynasty.