Note 2 — Chapter I · HENRY FITZ-EMPRESS

Mr. Round (Feudal England, 491-4) rejects the “Invasion of 1147,” of which the only mention is the account given in the Gesta Stephani, and considers that the events recorded relate to Henry’s visit in 1149. He is undoubtedly right in pointing out that the chronicler confused Henry’s unwarlike cousin, Earl William of Gloucester, with his loyal uncle, Earl Robert, making the latter refuse to give that help which, had he then been living, he would certainly have rendered to the utmost of his ability. On the other hand, what we know of Henry’s visit to England in 1149 is quite inconsistent with the wretched fiasco described in the Gesta, and when Mr. Round argues that “the statement that Henry applied for help to his mother by no means involves ... her presence in England at the time,” it is difficult to follow his argument. Had Henry applied for money to any one outside England it would presumably have been to his father, and, moreover, in 1149 the empress could not have been in straitened circumstances.