Henry FitzEmpress opened his decisive 1153 campaign by besieging Malmesbury Castle while Stephen marched to relieve it. Flooding of the River Avon prevented Stephen's army from crossing, and baronial reluctance on both sides to fight prevented a pitched battle. Henry took Malmesbury, and the pattern of the campaign was set: Henry advancing, Stephen unable to force a decisive confrontation, and peace increasingly the desire of both armies' barons.
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