Henry of Blois (died 1171)

The ambitious younger brother of the future King Stephen, who became Abbot of Glastonbury in 1126, but was then appointed Bishop of Winchester in 1129 and became papal legate for England in 1138. He was, however, thwarted in his desire to become Archbishop of Canterbury when Theobald was appointed. At his palace at Wolvesey in Winchester and in the six castles that he owned Henry showed himself a great builder and patron of the arts. He succeeded in dividing the church with his support for the Empress Matilda against his own brother, but in 1141 changed sides again and defended Winchester against the Empress's forces before re-uniting the church behind Stephen. In 1143 Henry lost his position as papal legate and on the accession of Henry II he went into self-imposed exile at Cluny leaving his castles to be demolished.