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Empress Matilda: Queen of the Romans, Ruler of the English (The English Monarchs Series)​

by Elisabeth van Houts (Author) Format: Hardcover
5.0 5.0 out of 5 stars (3)
Part of: English Monarchs (34 books)








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An authoritative new biography of Empress Matilda

Born in 1102, Empress Matilda combined the blood of two dynasties: the house of Wessex and their conquerors, the dukes of Normandy. As a widowed German empress, she was named as heir successor by her father, Henry I. But, after his death in 1135, Matilda’s place on the English throne was usurped by her cousin, Stephen of Blois. Civil war followed, and she ruled the south-west of England in opposition.

Elisabeth van Houts explores the remarkable life of medieval England’s only queen regnant. Van Houts examines female rulership in the Middle Ages, from Matilda’s relationships with her husbands, to her self-identification as granddaughter of William the Conqueror. Matilda used her persuasiveness effectively with the men who surrounded her, including her father, husbands, half-brothers and cousins.

This is a fascinating account, which reveals Matilda to be an assertive, if on occasion disappointed, woman who made the best of her position with intelligence and stamina.

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A superb book and very informative about a woman who had been nominated by Henry I to be his successor. Matilda was one of two of Henry's legitimate children. The other was William who died in the White Ship Disaster of 1120. The leading nobility and clergy pledged allegiance to Matilda but on Henry I's death in 1135 allegiance switched to Matilda's cousin, Stephen. His cause was helped by being in England when Henry died whilst Matilda was in Normandy. She did come to England later and was declared Queen although she was never crowned. She was assisted by some clergy and nobility including her half-brother Robert but was less successful with getting the support of the leading powers in the City of London.

Matilda was known as the Empress as she was married to the German Emperor Henry V. She had gone to mainland Europe at the age of eight and after a period of betrothal married Henry and often stood in as his regent and was highly respected. Matilda also spoke a number of languages.

On the Emperor's death in 1125 she was summoned back to England by her father and a marriage to Geoffrey of Anjou was arranged. She and Geoffrey had three sons including the future Henry II. Whilst Geoffrey concentrated on fighting Stephen's forces and supporters in Normandy Matilda campaigned in England. Eventually after much fighting, treaties and changes of side between Stephen and Matilda it was agreed that Henry would succeed Stephen on his death.

Matilda acted as an adviser to his son and did disagree with him over his policy towards Becket. Henry II had inherited a lot of land i.e. England, Normandy and Anjou but also had land through his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine.