Pepin the Short vs Stephen of Blois

Pepin deposed the last Merovingian king, Childeric III, with the support of Pope Zachary. He was anointed king by Boniface, establishing the Carolingian dynasty and legitimizing his rule through papal approval.

Pepin besieged the Lombard capital of Pavia, forcing King Aistulf to surrender and cede territories. This campaign secured Frankish dominance in Italy and fulfilled Pepin's alliance with the papacy.

Pepin granted the Pope control over territories in central Italy, including Ravenna and the Pentapolis, after defeating the Lombards. This created the Papal States and established the temporal power of the papacy.

Stephen was crowned king of England on December 22, 1135, after the death of Henry I. He seized the throne despite Henry's designation of his daughter Matilda as heir.

Stephen was captured by forces loyal to Matilda at the Battle of Lincoln on February 2, 1141. He was imprisoned, and Matilda briefly ruled as Lady of the English.

Stephen was released in exchange for Matilda's half-brother Robert of Gloucester, who had been captured. Stephen was restored as king, and the civil war continued.

Stephen and Matilda's son Henry Plantagenet signed the Treaty of Wallingford. Stephen recognized Henry as his heir, ending the Anarchy civil war.

Stephen died on October 25, 1154, at Dover. His death allowed Henry Plantagenet to become king as Henry II, founding the Plantagenet dynasty.