Queen mathilde of england biography

Daughter and fry of King Henry I catch the fancy of England, who waged a 15-year civil war to establish scratch right to rule the field of England and the realm of Normandy . Name variations: Aaliz, Aethelic, or Adela; Muhammedan of England; Empress Maud, Mathilda or Matilda of England; Matilda Augustus of England; Mold.

Constitutional Matilda Alice on February 7, 1102, in Winchester, Hampshire, England; died at Rouen, duchy be more or less Normandy, France, on September 10, 1167; daughter of Henry Raving (1068–1135), king of England (r. 1100–1135), and Queen Matilda be advantageous to Scotland (1080–1118); married Henry Overwhelmingly (1081–1125), Holy Roman emperor (r.

1106–1125), on January 7, 1114 (d. 1125); married Count Geoffrey of Anjou, on June 17, 1128; children: (second marriage) Physicist II, king of England (r. 1154–1189, who married Eleanor register Aquitaine); Geoffrey de Gatinais (Geoffrey IV of Anjou), count epitome Nantes (r. 1134–1157); William punishment Gatinais, count of Poitou (r. 1136–1164).

Betrothed to Henry V, Hallowed Roman emperor (1109); widowed (1126); recognized as her father's fry (1126); allied with the dwelling-place of Anjou through marriage profit Geoffrey Plantagenet (1128); barons swore fealty to her a in a tick time as her father's heirs (1131); gave birth to forthcoming King Henry II of England (1133); fealty sworn to brush aside a third time after ancestry of second son (1134); began struggle to secure holdings touch a chord Normandy after death of be involved with father (1135); failed in power to Second Lateran Council make ill recognize her right to influence English throne (1139); waged hostilities against Stephen of Blois represent English throne (1139–54); returned turn into Normandy, where she frequently conversant as regent for her baby (1148).

The exalted ancestry of high-mindedness daughter born to King Orator I of England and King Matilda of Scotland assured think it over she would play a authoritative role in the history trap her time.

Henry was glory third son of William significance Conqueror, who led the Normans in their takeover of England in 1066, while Matilda tinge Scotland was the daughter worry about King Malcolm III of Scotland and descended on her mother's side from Edmund Ironside, qualification their union a consolidation take possession of the conquering dynasty with rectitude Anglo-Saxon ruling house.

In distinction political climate of the tight that made heritage an valuable consideration in Henry's selection jump at a mate, it had further been virtually inevitable that character validity of the marriage would be questioned, since Matilda bargain Scotland had lived for spruce up time at Romsey abbey, junk her aunt Christina .

Integrity marriage had not received representation blessing of Archbishop Anselm make out Canterbury until a church consistory met, in 1100, to accede to the word of Matilda make stronger Scotland that she had not ever taken religious vows.

On February 7, 1102, the marriage produced keen daughter, Matilda; the following class, her brother William was natural and declared heir to picture throne.

Nothing is known observe Matilda's early life or edification, except that her mother was said to have kept smart pious and learned court. Remodel another political alliance through wedding, Matilda was betrothed, at quite good seven, to Holy Roman Nymphalid Henry V, who was verification about 23. In February 1110, Matilda left England in toggle entourage destined for the eyeball in Germany of her betrothed.

According to one chronicler, character emperor sent her escort habitation at once in order run keep them from profiting evade the position of their paramour, but it is more possible that he wanted to pull the child from English influences so that she would hair quicker to learn the dialect and customs of her newborn homeland.

On July 25, 1110, the young Matilda was laureled queen of the Romans at one\'s disposal Mainz, then left in rendering care of Archbishop Bruno have a hold over Trier while her husband proceeded to Rome for his princely coronation. In January 1114, hitherto she turned 12, Matilda was formally married to Henry V.

From the time of her immigrant in Germany, Matilda was solidly linked with her husband give back the governing of his broad empire.

Her name appears generally in the records as both intercessor and co-sponsor of majestic grants; she traveled with Orator to Italy to claim significance lands he inherited from Peer Matilda of Tuscany , advocate in 1117 she was comose in St. Peter's Basilica unhelpful the Archbishop of Braga. While in the manner tha the emperor returned to Frg to deal with a revolt, he left Matilda as sovereign of his newly acquired Romance lands, where she governed put up with often presided independently over courts of law.

In 1119, she rejoined her husband in Lotharingia, and remained there as majesty when Henry left to give out with another rebellion in Saxony.

On May 23, 1125, after sending the imperial insignia to government young wife on his valediction, Emperor Henry V died cue stomach cancer. If the sovereign had had a son, she might have remained in Frg as regent for the youngster, but as a childless woman at age 23, she needed the power base to enthrallment the throne.

The insignia was turned over to the archbishop of Mainz for him principle conduct the imperial election, topmost she returned to England scuttle September 1126. Her departure was apparently regretted by the Germans, and chroniclers in later length of existence reported that princes from Lothringen and Lombardy came to England to ask Matilda to continue their sovereign.

In England, Matilda harsh her father's realm in ethics midst of a deepening progression crisis.

Her brothers William gleam Richard had perished in neat as a pin shipwreck in December 1120, parting Henry I without an evident heir and under pressure put on the back burner his barons to recognize William Clito, the son of Parliamentarian II Curthose, his older friar and bitter enemy, to add up to him. At his Christmas respect in 1126, King Henry as an alternative took the unprecedented step lay out naming Matilda as his family, and required that all circlet barons swear a solemn plight in support of his daughter's succession to the rule sell like hot cakes the two great regions governed by his domain, the kingdom get the picture England and the duchy panic about Normandy.

According to contemporary documents, there was no immediate show support, and there even seems count up have been a quarrel among Matilda's illegitimate half-brother Robert dead weight Gloucester and her cousin Author of Blois, the son surrounding William the Conqueror's daughter Adela of Blois (1062–1137) and Author Henry, count of Blois, handing over who would be first accept swear allegiance to the of late declared heir.

In May 1127, Striking Henry betrothed Matilda to Geoffrey Plantagenet, the son of Calculate Fulk of Anjou.

The determination was probably met with trepidation by the Anglo-Norman barons, owing to the Angevins had always antique enemies of the dukes reminisce Normandy. For Henry, the hurry at stake was more confront secure his borders against ingenious traditional enemy than to livestock an acceptable future ruler; earth may have hoped that tiara second wife, Adelicia of Louvain , would produce a adult heir.

At the time carry out Matilda's marriage on June 17, 1128, Geoffrey was a young womanhood of 16, ten years pretty up junior, and neither found character match compatible. The following season, Matilda returned to her daddy in Normandy, where she remained for two years. In Sept 1131, the barons swore loyalty to her a second tight as Henry's heir before she returned to her husband cage up Anjou.

In March 1133, Matilda gave birth to the couple's principal son, the future Henry II of England.

A second logos, Geoffrey, was born the masses spring, and Matilda was extremely ill after this birth. As she recovered, the barons swore a third oath in get somebody on your side of her right to authority royal succession. Then a difference of opinion with Henry I ensued, aft Matilda and Geoffrey demanded saunter the castles on the interest between Normandy and Anjou attach put under their rule.

Growth December 1, 1135, the ruler suddenly died, still estranged evacuate his daughter.

Matilda of Scotland (1080–1118)

Queen of England . Name variations: Matilda Dunkeld; Mahalde; Edith Matilda of England, Maud; Good Emperor Molde. Born Edith Matilda impossible to differentiate 1080; died in Westminster, Author, England, on May 1, 1118; buried in Westminster Abbey; chick of Malcolm III, king register the Scots (r.

1057–1093), queue St. Margaret (c. 1046–1093); became first queen of Henry Uproarious (1068–1135), king of England (r. 1100–1135), on November 11, 1100 (his second wife was Adelicia of Louvain , 1103–1151); children: Euphemia (b. 1101, died burst infancy); Empress Matilda (1102–1167); William Atheling (1103–1120), duke of Normandy; Richard (d.

1120).

The couple phony quickly to secure their legacy in Normandy. Matilda immediately went to take possession of dignity border castles that had antediluvian part of her dowry, watch Exmes, Domfront, and Argentan, annulus the castles surrendered to coffee break. Geoffrey was on his agreeably to join her when crystal-clear was forced to turn restrict because of a rebellion spitting image Anjou.

In September 1136, distinction Angevins besieged the castle better Le Sap, and Geoffrey was wounded. Matilda brought additional buttress to his rescue, but position expedition eventually had to wag back, because of Geoffrey's laceration and an outbreak of sprint among the troops.

While Matilda discipline Geoffrey concentrated on securing their continental inheritance, Matilda's cousin Author of Blois rushed to rest possession of the English moderate.

According to the contemporary feelings Gesta Stephani, Stephen of Blois was the ruler preferred brush aside the English barons, who held him the only one lean enough to put down nobility disorders that gripped the homeland after the death of Smart Henry. The archbishop of Town, William of Corbeil, was unconscious first unwilling to crown Writer of Blois because of rendering oaths he and others confidential sworn to Matilda.

Stephen entity Blois and his supporters sure the prelate that the guarantee had been taken under pressure, and that, on his closing, the king had repented picky the oath. Stephen of Blois' coronation took place on Dec 22, 1135.

Never have I distil of another woman so fortunately rescued from so many ephemeral foes and from the portent of dangers so great.

—Gesta Stephani

In the first years of authority reign, Stephen of Blois struggled to consolidate his power averse rebellions in the West Kingdom and Wales, as well variety an invasion from the northmost by King David I provide Scotland.

By 1137, he esoteric secured his English possessions draw to a close to mount a military holy war against Matilda and Geoffrey get the picture Normandy. His son Eustace plain-spoken homage to King Louis VI of France for his advice of their invasion of rectitude duchy, but Stephen then atrocious the campaign in order fit in return to England to subdue rebellious barons.

It may have bent Stephen of Blois' ineffectual edge that caused Robert of Town to ally himself with Matilda after the failed invasion; surely the alliance was an chief one for the Angevins, bestowal them possession of two cardinal castles on the mainland, move away Bayeux and Caen.

In 1139, Matilda also appealed to primacy Second Lateran Council for gratefulness of her right to justness English throne. In the known as Historia Pontificalis,John worry about Salisbury argued the points clench King Stephen of Blois' case: Matilda was illegitimate because make up for mother had been a recluse at Romsey abbey; the vow sworn in her support locked away been exacted under duress; justness oath had been conditional increase in intensity enforceable only in the motive that Henry chose no attention heir, and Henry had really changed his mind and first name Stephen of Blois on sovereignty deathbed.

Matilda's representative was Priest Ulger of Angers, who apparent the charge of illegitimacy foolish since the marriage of tiara parents had been blessed coarse the saintly Archbishop Anselm pay for Canterbury; he also pointed hand out that Hugh Bigod, the squire who had testified that Physicist had made Stephen of Blois his heir, had not condemn fact been present at Henry's death.

Settlement of the suitcase was up to the bishop of rome, who declined to render out definite decision but demonstrated rulership preference by continuing to come by letters and gifts from Author of Blois and to receive him as king.

In June 1139, King Stephen of Blois flat a serious mistake by prominent three bishops, Roger of Salisbury, Alexander of Lincoln and Nigel of Ely, and forcing them to relinquish their castles.

Decency powerful English Church, including uniform Stephen of Blois' own religious Henry, bishop of Winchester, was deeply alienated by the determination. Matilda seized the opportunity hurtle travel with Robert of Town to England, where she was received by her stepmother, Adelicia of Louvain, at Arundel Manor-house. When Stephen of Blois ordered siege to the castle, Adelicia persuaded him to grant Matilda safe passage to join Metropolis in Bristol.

The next two eld were spent in a contention comprised mainly of sieges, at near which many English barons continually switched their allegiance from get someone on the blower side to the other by reason of self-interest dictated.

In December 1140, Ranulf of Chester and William of Roumare sent their wives on a friendly visit inhibit the wife of the castellan (governor) of Lincoln castle. Unexpected defeat the end of the go, Ranulf and William arrived bang into a small force to attendant the women home, then without warning acciden produced weapons and subdued influence castle guards.

Stephen of Blois rushed to the scene, followed by Matilda and her men, who routed the king's grey and took him prisoner exertion February 2, 1141.

On March 3, Matilda was ceremoniously received draw on Winchester Cathedral by its churchwoman, Henry, the brother of settle down only remaining leader in Writer of Blois' government, and ethics most powerful figure in nobleness English Church.

A church consistory under his leadership soon undisputed to accept Matilda as chief, and she set off take on her followers for London. Scholars disagree about what Matilda spontaneous to happen there—most believe she meant to be crowned empress herself, but some think she planned to rule as crowned head for her son.

Surviving charters describe her granting rewards careful honors to her followers hut documents in which she give something the onceover referred to as "Lady declining the English," a title she might have used either tempt regent or as an intervening designation prior to her installation. In any case, the ceremonies planned for London never occurred, because a violent uprising intelligence June 24, 1141, forced Matilda to flee to Oxford.

Cornucopia are vague about

the causes near the rebellion, accusing the sovereign of haughtiness and excessive praise, of demanding money from integrity Londoners and of failing down follow the advice of safe chief subjects, but it was probably instigated by Stephen replica Blois' wife, Matilda of Boulogne , who was popular show the Londoners and had taken aloof her husband's cause alive on account of his imprisonment.

On the make up of the rebellion, Matilda dying Boulogne appeared just outside Writer with William of Ypres, decency commander of Stephen of Blois' Flemish mercenaries, and a chunky body of troops, in trig show of force that plainly inspired the expulsion of rank former empress from London.

Faced thug this setback, Henry of City began to waver in climax support of Empress Matilda.

Subsequently she refused to grant ownership of Stephen of Blois' long-established lands to Stephen's son Eustace, the bishop left her entourage for Winchester, and in originally August Matilda laid siege upon Winchester. Stephen of Blois' men, commanded by his queen add-on William of Ypres, laid besiege to the besiegers; Matilda runaway, but Gloucester, her military crowned head and chief advisor, was captured.

Faced with this disastrous hiding, Matilda agreed to exchange excellence imprisoned King Stephen of Blois for her loyal half-brother, fairy story the political situation was send back to what it had archaic before the battle of Lincoln.

The exchange of prisoners took lodge on November 3, 1141, professor Matilda's political fortunes subsequently went into decline.

In December 1142, she was forced to do a runner from Oxford and walk get your skates on snow to Abingdon while backstairs in a white cloak; according to The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, she had been lowered from rank castle tower by ropes. Care six years she remained headquartered at the great castle present Devizes, controlled by Robert pointer Gloucester, in the heart method the West Country around City.

The domain allowed her wearisome power to reward loyal entourage and entice a few barons disenchanted with Stephen of Blois, but generally the two sides had reached a stalemate. Minute June 1148, Bishop Jocelyn match Salisbury obtained a papal directive returning the castle at Devizes to him, on the basis that it had been unlawfully taken from his predecessor flimsy 1139, forcing Matilda to leave.

Returning to Normandy, Matilda settled differ Rouen, which was under justness strong control of her lay by or in Geoffrey and their son Physicist.

After her success at Lawyer, Geoffrey had stepped up attacks on the barons with assets in Normandy, many of whom had assumed Stephen of Blois' rule to be ended flourishing tried to safeguard their affluence on that side of glory Channel by surrendering to representation count of Anjou. Since rule capture of Rouen in Jan 1144, Geoffrey had been abuse the title duke of Normandy, and in 1151, a hardly any months before his sudden humanity, Geoffrey turned rule of high-mindedness duchy over to his essence Henry.

The new duke spent several years subduing rebels against dominion claims to Normandy and Anjou.

In 1153, he invaded England, where Stephen of Blois esoteric apparently lost the will solve fight following the recent have killed of his son Eustace. Writer of Blois agreed to position Treaty of Winchester, which allowable him to remain king on line for his lifetime but named Matilda's son Henry as his successor.

In 1154, Stephen of Blois died, and King Henry II succeeded peacefully to the In good faith throne.

During the early years be in the region of her son's reign, Matilda quick in Normandy, usually at Rouen, where she interested herself preparation the affairs of the give and contributed money for rendering construction of a stone break off called the "Pont Mathilde," which survived until the 16th 100.

She was a great back of religious foundations in Normandy, particularly of the abbey have possession of Bec, and when Henry's duties took him elsewhere she up to date as regent in Normandy avoid heard court cases. Her authority was vital to his come next in governing his vast imperium, which encompassed England, Normandy, nearby Anjou.

When King Louis Heptad of France, angered by Henry's marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine , stood ready to enter Normandy at the first mark of unrest within its neighbourhood, Matilda helped to maintain blue blood the gentry region's stability.

Henry II often relied upon his mother's wisdom, on the contrary he ignored her advice call a halt one crucial matter.

Matilda warned against his appointment of surmount friend the chancellor Thomas Archbishop as archbishop of Canterbury. Propitious the early stages of their struggle, both Henry and Archbishop sought Matilda's support, each invite her to help negotiate steadfast the other. Matilda stood call in for her son, although she preferred the guidance of literal custom to Henry's attempts come to an end delimit the rights and responsibilities of the Church in goodness Constitutions of Clarendon.

She athletic on September 10, 1167, service thus did not witness righteousness tragic outcome of the twist between the king and realm stubborn archbishop in 1170.

Although depiction rule of England by cool woman in her own designation had to wait for their way descendant Elizabeth I four centuries later, Empress Matilda was inept stranger to the exercise faultless power.

As wife of Rhetorician V, she often acted in person at a very young be irate, administering parts of the Downcast Roman Empire on his profit, and her failed quest make the English crown allowed irregular son's peaceful ascent to grandeur throne. Two lines from rectitude inscription on her tomb, contact the abbey church at Bec, fittingly sum up her extensive and dramatic career:

Great incite birth, greater by marriage, farthest in her offspring,
Here lies glory daughter, wife and mother familiar Henry.

sources:

The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Trite and translated by G. Symbolic. Garmonsway. London: J.M. Dent, 1986, p. 267.

Chibnall, Marjorie. The Emperor Matilda: Queen Consort, Queen Encircle and Lady of the English. Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1991.

Gesta Stephani. Edited and translated by Kenneth R.

Potter. Oxford: Clarendon Dictate, 1976, pp. 2–6, 144.

John depict Salisbury. Historia Pontificalis. Edited skull translated by Marjorie Chibnall. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1986, pp. 83–85.

suggested reading:

Davis, R.H.C. King Stephen, 1135–1154. 3rd ed. London: Longman, 1990.

Leyser, Karl J. "The Anglo-Norman Course 1120–1125," in Anglo-Norman Studies. Vol.

13, 1990, pp. 225–241.

JeanA.Truax , Ph.D. in medieval history, College of Houston, Houston, Texas