 Although Henry II was the son of the Empress Matilda, and Henry of Blois was the brother of her adversary, King Stephen, this was not necessarily an act of retaliation against Henry of Blois; in re-asserting royal authority through the realm, Henry II destroyed numerous unauthorised castles that had been raised during the Anarchy.Further, Henry of Blois had been directly involved in negotiating the peace settlement which ended the Anarchy.Despite its slighting in the 1150's, Ashley castle was to have a second lease of life.