The Plantagenets. Immediate Family Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor husband Geoffroy V, Count of Anjou, Main. [12] The match was attractive to the English King: his daughter would be marrying into one of the most prestigious dynasties in Europe, reaffirming his own, slightly questionable, status as the youngest son of a new royal house, and gaining him an ally in dealing with France. [132] Hoping to seize East Anglia, he established his base of operations in the Isle of Ely, then surrounded by protective fenland. During the war, Matilda's most loyal and capable supporter was her illegitimate half-brother, Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester. Empress Matilda | Detailed Pedia [42] Archbishop Adalbert subsequently convinced Matilda that she should give him the insignia, and the Archbishop led the electorial process, which appointed Lothair of Supplinburg, a former enemy of Henry, as the new King of the Romans. Matilda (Maud) "Holy Roman Empress, Lady of the English" of England formerly Normandie aka d'Anjou Born 7 Feb 1102 in Sutton Courtenay, Berkshire, England Ancestors Daughter of Henry (Normandie) of England and Eadgith (Dunkeld) of Scotland Matilda dies in September and is buried in Bec Abbey, Normandy. [24] Henry and Matilda marched over the Alps into Italy in early 1116, intent on settling matters permanently with the Pope. Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I: a queen in a king's world Pain, Nesta (1978), Empress Matilda: Uncrowned Queen of England, Butler & Tanner Chibnall, Marjorie (1991), The Empress Matilda: Queen Consort, Queen Mother and Lady of the English, Basil Blackwell, ISBN 0-631-15737-9, Bradbury, J. Basing her campaign in Oxford, Matilda battled, sieged, and even made an elaborate escape during her enduring efforts to claim the English throne. [186] Some of the Anglo-Norman barons made individual peace agreements with each other to secure their lands and war gains, and many were not keen to pursue any further conflict. [160] Matilda decided to escape from the city with Fitz Count and Reginald of Cornwall, while the rest of her army delayed the royal forces. His mother, Empress Matilda, was a claimant to the English throne as the daughter of Henry I (11001135). [43], Now aged 23, Matilda had only limited options as to how she might spend the rest of her life. [48] Many of these barons had taken an oath to stay in Normandy until the late king was properly buried, which prevented them from returning to England. [203] Meanwhile, Normandy faced considerable disorder and the threat of baronial revolt, which Matilda was unable to totally suppress. Geoffrey and Matilda held the duchy conjointly until 1149, then ceded it to their son, Henry, which event was soon ratified by King Louis VII of France. [129] Stephen continued into Wiltshire to attack Trowbridge, taking the castles of South Cerney and Malmesbury en route. [76] Henry was delighted by the news and came to see her at Rouen. [22] When acting as regent in Italy, she found the local rulers were prepared to accept a female ruler. Henry and Adeliza did not conceive any children, and the future of the dynasty appeared at risk. The Barons went back on their promise. Finally, Alison Pill portrayed her in the 2010 TV miniseries The Pillars of the Earth, an adaptation of Follett's novel, although she is initially known in this as Princess Maud not Empress Matilda. 2.3k views Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I of England, known as the Empress Maud when she married the Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, mother of King Henry II of England and "Lady of the English" is now one of the featured Connections! [26], Paschal fled when Henry and Matilda arrived, and in his absence the papal envoy Maurice Bourdin, later the Antipope Gregory VIII, crowned the pair at St. Peter's Basilica, probably that Easter and certainly by Pentecost. She settled her court near Rouen and for the rest of her life concerned herself with the administration of Normandy, acting on Henry's behalf when necessary. [109] A small number of Stephen's household knights were sent north to help the fight against the Scots, where David's forces were defeated later that year at the Battle of the Standard. [168] Once on the other side, the King and his men stormed into the town, trapping Matilda in the castle. [147] Stephen's wife, Queen Matilda, wrote to complain and demand her husband's release. We can think of Empress Matilda as the fierce nearly Norman queen, who battled her cousin Stephen and the sexism of medieval England for 19 long years, during a period described as 'The Anarchy'. Birth: 5 August 1102 . David of Scotland also invaded the north of England once again, announcing that he was supporting the claim of Matilda to the throne, pushing south into Yorkshire. Template:House of Normandy Empress Matilda (February, 1101 September 10, 1167; Saxon form Maud or Maude) was the daughter and dispossessed heir of King Henry I of England. [171] She established her household knights on the surrounding estates, supported by Flemish mercenaries, ruling through the network of local sheriffs and other officials. Henry V Holy Roman Emperor + Matilda (Maud Augusta) the Empress [95] Their discussions were interrupted by the sudden news from England that Stephen's coronation was to occur the next day. Henry I, the youngest son of William the Conqueror, had over twenty children but only two of them were legitimate - twins William and Matilda. [39][nb 7] In early 1122, the couple travelled down the Rhine together as Henry continued to suppress the ongoing political unrest, but by now he was suffering from cancer. Matilda herself landed in England in the following year. [218] She was not called upon to make any major decisions, instead dealing with smaller matters and acting as the symbolic representative of her absent husband, meeting with and helping to negotiate with magnates and clergy. The couple had no issue. [99] Geoffrey invaded Normandy in early 1136 and, after a temporary truce, invaded again later the same year, raiding and burning estates rather than trying to hold the territory. http://books.google.com/books?id=Ga_QAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA54#v=onepage&q&f http://books.google.com/books?id=yiqrD_b_EGkC&pg=PA30&dq=%22lady+of http://sbaldw.home.mindspring.com/hproject/prov/henry002.htm. A compromise was eventually reached whereby the son of Matilda and Geoffrey would be heir to the English crown, while Stephen's son would inherit his baronial lands. [67] She felt that marrying the son of a count diminished her own status and was probably also unhappy about marrying someone so much younger than she was Matilda was 25, and Geoffrey was only 13. Though the church and most nobles supported Stephen, Matilda's claims were. [1] ^ It is argued that Hermann of Tournai was using the story of a child who died as a guise to prove his point that because Matilda's mother had once worn the veil of a nun, her marriage was cursed. [166], During the summer of 1142 Robert returned to Normandy to assist Geoffrey with operations against some of Stephen's remaining followers there, before returning in the autumn. [159] Their forces encircled Matilda's army. William theling; 1103 . There then followed a period of civil war. [27] Matilda used these ceremonies to claim the title of the Empress of the Holy Roman Empire. [94] The Normans argued that the count, as the eldest grandson of William the Conqueror, had the most valid claim over the kingdom and the Duchy, and was certainly preferable to Matilda. [5] For Henry, marrying Matilda of Scotland had given his reign increased legitimacy, and for her it had been an opportunity for high status and power in England. Medieval and Middle Ages History Timelines - Matilda (Empress Maud) Matilda and Geoffrey suspected that they lacked genuine support in England for their claim to the throne, and proposed in 1135 that the King should hand over the royal castles in Normandy to Matilda and should insist that the Norman nobility immediately swear allegiance to her. [6], Matilda had a younger, legitimate brother, William Adelin, and her father's relationships with numerous mistresses resulted in around 22 illegitimate siblings. [13] In return, Henry V would receive a dowry of 10,000 marks, which he needed to fund an expedition to Rome for his coronation as the Holy Roman Emperor. [242] Legends spread in the years after Matilda's death, including the suggestion that her first husband, Henry, had not died but had in fact secretly become a hermit making Matilda's second marriage illegitimate and a tale that Matilda had an affair with Stephen, resulting in the conception of Henry II. Geoffrey Plantagenet 1113 - 1151 2. She and Geoffrey were also at odds with her father over border castles. He was made a prisoner and effectively deposed. [36] Matilda attempted to visit her father in England that year, but the journey was blocked by Charles I, Count of Flanders, whose territory she would have needed to pass through. [57] In the event that this might fail to happen, Matilda was now Henry's preferred choice and he declared that, should he die without a male heir, she was to be his rightful successor. [113] Despite this victory, however, David still occupied most of the north. [69] Henry knighted his future son-in-law and a week later, on 17 June 1128, Matilda and Geoffrey were married in Le Mans by the bishops of Le Mans and Sez. [56] Matilda returned to Normandy in 1125 and spent about a year at the royal court, where her father Henry was still hoping that his second marriage would generate a male heir. Save this record and choose the information you want to add to your family tree. Matilda became trapped in Oxford Castle by Stephen's forces that winter, and was forced to escape across the River Isis at night to avoid capture. Matilda returned to England after the death of her husband and Henry I began to groom her for succession to the throne. Henry's son died, and his nominated heir Matilda was denied the throne by her cousin, Henry's nephew, Stephen. [1] [102] The Norman forces then deserted the King, forcing Stephen to give up his campaign. [11] Matilda explained that she disagreed with Henry's attempts to codify English customs, which Becket was opposed to, but also condemned poor administration in the English Church and Becket's own headstrong behaviour. Empress Matilda - family tree - EntiTree Large parts of the rest of the country were in the hands of local barons. Matilda | daughter of Henry I | Britannica Matilda, also called Maud, German Mathilde, (born 1102, Londondied Sept. 10, 1167, near Rouen, Fr. The inscription on her grave reads: 'Great by birth, greater by marriage, greatest in her offspring, here lies the daughter, wife and mother of Henry'. [182] Miles of Gloucester, one of the most talented of her military commanders, had died while hunting over the previous Christmas. Relations between Henry and his youngest brother, William X, Count of Poitou, were more cordial, and William was given vast estates in England. William and Matilda's mother - Matilda of Scotland - had died in 1118 and so Henry took a new wife, Adeliza of Louvain. [34] In 1119 she returned north to meet Henry in Lotharingia. [168] Just before Christmas, Matilda sneaked out of the castle with a handful of knights (probably via a postern gate), crossed the icy river on foot and made her escape past the royal army to safety at Wallingford, leaving the castle garrison free to surrender the next day. [247] Historians Kate Norgate, Sir James Ramsay and J. H. Round used these to produce new, richer accounts of Matilda and the civil war; Ramsay's account, using the Gesta Stephani, was not complimentary, while Norgate, drawing on French sources, was more neutral in tone. The Empress Matilda - Dangerous Women Project [122] Arundel Castle was also considered almost impregnable, and Stephen may have been worried that he risked tying down his army in the south whilst Robert roamed freely in the west. [11], Matilda helped to deal with several diplomatic crises. Sutton Courtnay, Nr Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England (United Kingdom), Le Mans, Sarthe, Pays de la Loire, France, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, Haute-Normandie, France, To enable the proper functioning and security of the website, we collect information via cookies as specified in our, The Abbey at Sutton Courtenay, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire), England, Geoffroy V, Count of Anjou, Maine and Mortain, Euphemia (Name & Sex Unconfirmed) Child of Henry I & Mathilda, Adelaide de Angers (Possibly Empress Mathilda), Rginald de Dunstanville, 1st Earl of Cornwall, Constance Mathilde FitzRoy, Vicountess de Maine, Lord William de Tracy, Baron of Barnstaple, ftp://ftp.cac.psu.edu/genealogy/public_html/royal/index.html. Save record . [127] Her influence extended down into Devon and Cornwall, and north through Herefordshire, but her authority in these areas remained limited. Empress Matilda, who was also known as Empress Maude, claimed the English throne during the chaotic civil war called the Anarchy. Empress Matilda, First & Second marriage, Civil war - School History There had been no peaceful, uncontested successions. It was 1147 when Henry, aged 14, had accompanied Matilda on an invasion of England. These kings typically hoped to be subsequently crowned by the Pope as the Holy Roman Emperor, but this could not be guaranteed. Empress Matilda. [251] Interpretations of Matilda's character have shifted over time, but there is, as Chibnall describes, a "general agreement that she was either proud or at least keenly conscious of the high status of an empress". Empress Matilda ( c. 7 February 1102 - 10 September 1167), also known as the Empress Maude, [nb 1] was one of the claimants to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy. Henry II was born in Le Mans, France, on 5 March 1133, the first day of the traditional year. Around three hundred passengers including Matilda's brother, William Adelin, and many other senior nobles embarked one night on the White Ship to travel from Barfleur in Normandy across to England. Matilda (Normandie) of England (1102-1167) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree [22], Political conflict broke out across the Empire shortly after the marriage, triggered when Henry arrested his Chancellor Adalbert and various other German princes. [nb 1] The daughter of King Henry I of England, she moved to Germany as a child when she married the future Holy Roman Emperor Henry V. She travelled with her husband into Italy in 1116, was controversially crowned in St. Peter's Basilica, and acted as the imperial regent in Italy. Matilda married Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou, who took control of Normandy. [157] In response, in July Matilda and Robert of Gloucester besieged Henry of Blois in his episcopal castle at Winchester, using the royal castle in the city as the base for their operations. Meanwhile, Matilda's younger brother, William Adelin, died in the White Ship disaster of 1120, leaving England facing a potential succession crisis. Matilda is a character in Jean Anouilh's play Becket. Four Norman kings presided over a period of great change and development for the country. [211] Matilda appears to have had particular fondness for her youngest son William. [47], With William dead, the succession to the English throne was thrown into doubt. In accordance with the legal provisions, you can ask for the removal of your name and the name of your minor children. The first of these involved the Hand of St James, the relic which Matilda had brought back with her from Germany many years before. The powerful English barons backed this claim. [204], Later life[edit] Picture of Henry II and Thomas Becket, Early 14th-century representation of Henry II and Thomas Becket, arguing Matilda spent the rest of her life in Normandy, often acting as Henry's representative and presiding over the government of the Duchy. [193][nb 19], Matilda decided to return to Normandy in 1148, partially due to her difficulties with the Church. [100] Stephen returned to the Duchy in 1137, where he met with Louis VI and Theobald to agree to an informal alliance against Geoffrey and Matilda, to counter the growing Angevin power in the region. Her advantage lasted only a few months. [177] Later in the year Geoffrey de Mandeville, the Earl of Essex, rose up in rebellion against Stephen in East Anglia. The Normans came to govern England following one of the most famous battles in English history: the Battle of Hastings in 1066. [140] After much fighting, Robert's soldiers finally overwhelmed Stephen and he was taken away from the field in custody. Matilda, daughter of King Henry I and Matilda of Scotland Constitutional history of the UK. [74] At a meeting of the King's great council in September, it was decided that Matilda would return to Geoffrey. [78] She made arrangements for her will, and argued with her father about where she should be buried: Matilda preferred Bec Abbey, but Henry wanted her to be interred at Rouen Cathedral. [166] Oxford was a secure town, protected by walls and the River Isis, but Stephen led a sudden attack across the river, leading the charge and swimming part of the way. When her father died in Normandy, on 1 December 1135, Matilda was with Geoffrey in Anjou, and, crucially, too far away from events rapidly unfolding in England and Normandy. [50], Initially Henry put his hopes in fathering another son. [213], Death[edit] Matilda died on 10 September 1167, and her remaining wealth was given to the Church. William the Conqueror had invaded England, his sons William Rufus and Robert Curthose had fought a war between them to establish their inheritance, and Henry had only acquired control of Normandy by force. On August 10, 1153 Stephens son Eustache died. Queen of England 1141~1154, Queen of England, Empress. Find out about Empress Matilda of England's family tree, family history, ancestry, ancestors, genealogy, relationships and affairs! [230] Matilda's household became smaller, and often merged with Henry's own court when the two were co-located in Rouen. She was helped by her half-brother, the Earl of Gloucester. It was not until 1139, however, that Matilda commanded the military strength necessary to challenge Stephen within England. Notes ^ Historical debate exists as to whether William Adelin was Matilda's younger brother or her twin. [142] Matilda now began to take the necessary steps to have herself crowned queen in his place, which would require the agreement of the Church and her coronation at Westminster. Empress Matilda, from "History of England" by St. Albans monks, 15th century Matilda was nominated by her father as the heir to the throne of England, but in 1135 Stephen of Blois claimed that his uncle had changed his mind on his deathbed, recognising Stephen instead as his successor to the throne. [156], Rout of Winchester and the Siege of Oxford[edit] A photograph of Oxford Castle in the 21st century, St George's Tower at Oxford Castle Matilda's position was transformed by her defeat at the Rout of Winchester. Stephen of Blois rushed to England upon learning of Henry's death and moved quickly to seize the crown from the appointed heir. Robert of Gloucester had garrisoned the ports of Dover and Canterbury and some accounts suggest that they refused Stephen access when he first arrived. [1] [2] The drama follows the story of the three sons of William the Conqueror and ends with the early reign of her father Henry, including the time when Matilda became Empress by marrying Henry V of . [52] Theobald of Blois, his close ally, possibly also felt that he was in favour with Henry. The Empress Matilda 'Maud Beauclerc Of England, Empress Of Germany 1167; William Beauclerc Prince Of England, Duke of Normandy /1103-1120 Half-siblings. [199] Matilda and Geoffrey made peace with Louis VII, who in return supported Henry's rights to Normandy. Name: Empress Matilda: Gender: Female : Birth: Feb 7 1101. (1894). In Biographical Summaries of Notable People . On August 26, 1127 she married the eleven years younger Geoffrey V. Plantagenet (qv), Count of Anjou in Le Mans. [145] Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury was unwilling to declare Matilda queen so rapidly, however, and a delegation of clergy and nobles, headed by Theobald, travelled to Bristol to see Stephen, who agreed that, given the situation, he was prepared to release his subjects from their oath of fealty to him. Matilda was heir to the English king, Henry I, but was usurped by Stephen resulting in civil war. [209] Matilda and Henry were equally insistent that it should remain at Reading Abbey, where it had become a popular attraction for visiting pilgrims. 1102 / London. [29] Nonetheless, Matilda maintained that she had been officially crowned as the empress in Rome. She's a popular woman to be descended from. In the 1964 film adaptation she was portrayed by Martita Hunt. [77] At Pentecost 1134, a second son, Geoffrey, was born in Rouen, but the childbirth was extremely difficult and Matilda appeared close to death. [121], Stephen responded by promptly moving south, besieging Arundel and trapping Matilda inside the castle. [183] Geoffrey de Mandeville's rebellion against Stephen in the east ended with his death in September 1144 during an attack on Burwell Castle. In 1138 first her half-brother Robert of Gloucester and later her uncle David I. of Scotland invaded England to unseat Stephen from the throne and install Matilda. ISBN 1-85941-746-9. http://books.google.com/books?id=yiqrD_b_EGkC&pg=PA30&dq=%22lady+of. ^ Harvey, John. [195] Matilda re-established her court in Rouen, where she met with her sons and husband and probably made arrangements for her future life in Normandy, and for Henry's next expedition to England. [96][nb 13], Matilda gave birth to her third son William on 22 July 1136 at Argentan, and she then operated out of the border region for the next three years, establishing her household knights on estates around the area. Matilda's greatest triumph came in February 1141, when her forces defeated and captured King Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln. When her husband died in 1125, Henry recalled her to England and, in 1127, he insisted that the nobles accept her as his successor. The question of the succession continued to weigh heavily over the remainder of the period. the Janna Mysteries by Felicity Pulman, set during the civil war between Stephen and Matilda. In this treaty Henry was named heir to Stephen bypassing Stephens son William and agreeing that Stephen should remain king for the rest of his life. Matilda is also known by the name Maud. [21] Matilda now entered public life in Germany, complete with her own household. [206] Early on, Matilda and her son issued charters in England and Normandy in their joint names, dealing with the various land claims that had arisen during the wars. [73] Henry summoned Matilda from Normandy, and she arrived in England that August. It meant that in 1154 Henry II would ascend to the throne as the first undisputed king in over 100 years - evidence of the dynastic uncertainty of the Norman period. [227] She was unable to operate a system of royal law courts, however, and her administrative resources were extremely limited, although some of her clerks went on to become bishops in Normandy. Progress was uneven at first, but she persevered. The invasion had created an Anglo-Norman elite, many with estates spread across both sides of the English Channel. [210] She was also approached by Louis VII of France, in 1164, and helped to defuse a growing diplomatic row over the handling of Crusading funds. Matilda's first son, Henry, was showing signs of becoming a successful leader. [223] Since she was never crowned at Westminster, during the rest of the war she appears to have used her title of Lady of the English, rather than that of the Queen of England, although some contemporaries referred to her by the royal title. Many of the nobles struggled to keep a hold on their interests in both Normandy and England, as divided rule meant the threat of conflict. Empress Matilda (c. 7 February 1102 10 September 1167), also known as the Empress Maude, was the claimant to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy. 1167: Matilda's death. This was the case when William the Conqueror died. [31], Death of Henry[edit] In 1118, Henry returned north back over the Alps into Germany to suppress fresh rebellions, leaving Matilda as his regent to govern Italy. [133] Robert of Gloucester's men retook some of the territory that Stephen had taken in his 1139 campaign. [29] The titles of emperor and empress were not always consistently used in this period, and in any case her use of the title became widely accepted. Empress Matilda - Biographical Summaries of Notable People - MyHeritage [18] After the betrothal she was placed into the custody of Bruno, the Archbishop of Trier, who was tasked with educating her in German culture, manners and government. [249], Matilda has attracted relatively little attention from modern English academics, being treated as a marginal figure in comparison to other contemporaries, particularly her rival Stephen, in contrast to the work carried out by German scholars on her time in the Empire. Henry was born in Maine at Le Mans on 5 March 1133, the eldest child of the Empress Matilda and her second husband, Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou. [111] Matilda had not been particularly active in asserting her claims to the throne since 1135 and in many ways it was Robert who took the initiative in declaring war in 1138. [62] Henry's control of Normandy had faced numerous challenges since he had conquered it in 1106 and the latest threat came from his nephew William Clito, the new Count of Flanders, who enjoyed the support of the French King. She was 12 and her husband was 32 years old. [91][nb 12] Stephen's coronation was held a week later at Westminster Abbey on 26 December. [149] Despite securing the support of Geoffrey de Mandeville, who controlled the Tower of London, forces loyal to Stephen and Queen Matilda remained close to the city and the citizens were fearful about welcoming the Empress. [221] Initially between 1139 and 1141 Matilda referred to herself as acting as a feme sole, "a woman acting alone", highlighting her autonomy and independence from her husband Geoffrey. Death: 10 September 1169 . Henry V had coerced the Pope into crowning him in 1111, but Matilda's own status was less clear. They soon started to fight with each other and Geoffrey sent her to Rouen. of England. [205] Once Henry had been crowned, the troubles facing Matilda in Normandy died away. [7][nb 4] Among the nobles at her mother's court were her uncle David, later the King of Scotland, and aspiring nobles such as her half-brother Robert of Gloucester, her cousin Stephen of Blois and Brian Fitz Count. Though charming, attractive and (when required) a brave warrior, Stephen (reigned 1135-54) lacked ruthlessness and failed to inspire loyalty. [11], In late 1108 or early 1109, Henry V, then the King of the Romans, sent envoys to Normandy proposing that Matilda marry him, and wrote separately to her royal mother on the same matter. [126] Although there had been only a few new defections to her cause, Matilda still controlled a compact block of territory stretching out from Gloucester and Bristol south into Wiltshire, west into the Welsh Marches and east through the Thames Valley as far as Oxford and Wallingford, threatening London. [134] In an effort to negotiate a truce, Henry of Blois held a peace conference at Bath, at which Matilda was represented by Robert. Their younger brother Henry would become king on William II's death. Empress Matilda (c. 7 February 1102 - 10 September 1167), also known as the Empress Maude, was one of the claimants to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy.The daughter of King Henry I of England, she moved to Germany as a child when she married the future Holy Roman Emperor Henry V.She travelled with her husband to Italy in 1116, was controversially crowned in St . [65] Henry and Fulk argued over the fate of the marriage dowry and this had encouraged Fulk to turn to support William Clito instead.
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