Final years thumb|Posthumous painting by Merry-Joseph Blondel, 1837 As Louis VI approached his end, there seemed to be reasons for optimism. Henry I of England had died on 1 December 1135 and Stephen of Blois had seized the English crown, reneging on the oath he had sworn to Henry I to support Matilda. Stephen was thus in no position to bring the combined Anglo-Norman might against the French crown.
Final years thumb|Posthumous painting by Merry-Joseph Blondel, 1837 As Louis VI approached his end, there seemed to be reasons for optimism. Henry I of England had died on 1 December 1135 and Stephen of Blois had seized the English crown, reneging on the oath he had sworn to Henry I to support Matilda Stephen was thus in no position to bring t.he combined Anglo-Norman might against the French crown.