Henry I had required the leading barons, ecclesiastics and officials in Normandy and England, to take an oath to accept Matilda (also known as Empress Maud, Henry I's daughter) as his heir.
Henrik 1. havde krævet at det ledende baroner, gejstlige og embedsmænd i Normandiet og England havde sværget en ed til at acceptere Matilda (også kendt som Kejserinde Maud, Henrik 1.'s datter) som sin arving.