David I of Scotland, Matilda's uncle, espoused her cause and invaded
England with a powerful force. He was met at North Allerton, in
Yorkshire, by the party of Stephen, and the battle of the Standard was
fought.

The leaders of the English were both churchmen, who showed that they
could fight as vigorously as they could pray (S136). The standard
consisted of four consecrated banners, surmounted by a cross. This
was set up on a wagon, on which one of the bishops stood. The sight
of this sacred standard made the English invincible. (See map facing
page 436.)

After a fierce contest the Scots were driven from the field. It is
said that this was the first battle in which the English peasants used
the long bow; they had taken the hist, perhaps, from the Norman
archers at the battle of Hastings (SS73, 74). Many years later, their
skill in foreign war made that weapon as famous as it was effective
(S238).

141. Civil War (1138-1153).

For fifteen years following, the country was torn by civil war. While
it raged, fortified castles, which, under William the Conqueror, had
been built and occupied by the King only, or by those whom he could
trust, now arose on every side. These strongholds became, as the
"Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" (S99) declares, "very nests of devils and dens
of thieves." More than a thousand of these castles, it is said, were
built. The armed bands who inhavited them levied tribute on the whole
country around.