c. 1045 – 19 May 1102
House: House of Blois
Titles: Count of Blois, Count of Chartres
Stephen Henry, also known as Étienne Henri in French, was born around 1045 and became the Count of Blois and Chartres following the death of his father in 1089. He took part in the First Crusade and led one of its major armies. Stephen was present at the Siege of Nicaea and claimed the city surrendered due to fear of siege towers. Chosen as a leader during the Siege of Antioch, he left the siege just before the city’s capture and persuaded the Byzantine emperor Alexios I Komnenos to abandon his support for the crusaders, which contributed to distrust between the crusaders and Byzantium.
After returning home in disgrace for not fulfilling his crusader vows, Stephen joined the Crusade of 1101 to make amends. He participated in a failed campaign in Anatolia, then sailed to Jerusalem, fulfilling his vows. In 1102, he fought in the Second Battle of Ramla where he was captured and executed on 19 May, likely in Ascalon.
Death: Executed at age 56 or 57, likely in Ascalon.
Children: William, Odo, Theobald II, Adela, Stephen, Lucia-Mahaut, Philip, Agnes, Alix, Henry, Eleanor
Marriages: Adela of Normandy
Parents: Theobald III, Count of Blois, and Garsinde du Maine