Summary: Melvyn Bragg and his guests discuss The Anarchy, the civil war that took place in mid-12th century England. It was a succession dispute between the Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I, and her cousin, Stephen of Blois. The Anarchy dragged on for nearly 20 years and is so called because of the chaos and lawlessness that characterised the period. But does it deserve the label of 'The Anarchy'? Why did Matilda fail to become the monarch? What impact did the conflict have on England? Melvyn Bragg is joined by John Gillingham, Emeritus Professor of History at the LSE; Louise Wilkinson, Reader in Medieval History at Canterbury Christ Church University and David Carpenter, Professor of Medieval History at Kings College London.
