The Angevin invasion finally arrived in 1139. Baldwin de Redvers crossed over from Normandy to Wareham in August in an initial attempt to capture a port to receive the Empress Matilda's invading army, but Stephen's forces forced him to retreat into the south-west.Davis, p. 39. The following month, however, Henry I's widow, Adeliza, invited the Empress to land at Arundel instead, and on 30 September the Empress and Robert of Gloucester arrived in England with 140 knights. The Empress stayed at Arundel Castle, whilst Robert marched north-west to Wallingford and Bristol, hoping to raise support for the rebellion and to link up with Miles of Gloucester, a capable military leader who took the opportunity to renounce his fealty to the King.Davis, p. 40. Stephen promptly moved south, besieging Arundel and trapping Matilda inside the castle.Bradbury, p. 78.
the angevin invasion finally arrived in 1139 baldwin de redvers crossed over from normandy to wareham in august in an initial attempt to capture a port to receive the empress matilda's invading army but stephen's forces forced him to retreat into the south-westdavis p 39 the following month however henry i's widow adeliza invited the empress to land at arundel instead and on 30 september the empress and robert of gloucester arrived in england with 140 knights the empress stayed at arundel castle whilst robert marched north-west to wallingford and bristol hoping to raise support for the rebellion and to link up with miles of gloucester a capable military leader who took the opportunity to renounce his fealty to the kingdavis p 40 stephen promptly moved south besieging arundel and trapping matilda inside the castlebradbury p 78