Stephen of England was a king who ruled from 1135 to 1154. He was born in 1092 and was a grandson of William the Conqueror. His reign was marked by a period of civil war known as the Anarchy, which arose from disputes over the throne following the death of his uncle, Henry I. Stephen was known for his military skills but struggled to maintain control over his kingdom. His rule faced challenges from rival claimants, particularly Empress Matilda, the daughter of Henry I. Ultimately, Stephen's reign ended when he agreed to recognize Matilda's son, Henry II, as his successor, leading to the establishment of the Plantagenet dynasty.