The Empress Matilda, from a chronicle of England in the abbey of Saint Albans 14th c. illumination

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Matilda was the daughter of Henry I King of England and his wfie Matilda (Edith) of Scotland. Matilda is a variant of the French name "Maud" and it was used in Latin texts of the era. She is of the 'House of Normandy'

The marriage of Matilda to Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor was arranged when she was only 7 years old. Her training as his consort began when she was sent to the Holy Roman Empire in 1111. Henry and Matilda married at Worms on 7 Jan 1114 in a very grand ceremony. Matilda became known as the Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, however, was never crowned by legitimate Pope as required to claim the title. She was however, crowned 'Queen Consort of Germany' and 'Queen of the Romans' which makes her the first female ruler. When Henry visited Rome and Tuscany in March 1116 Matilda acted as regent while he was gone.

Herman of Tournai states that Henry and Matilda had one child that lived only a short while. Henry V died in 1125 leaving Matilda a widow at the age of 23. Her brother William Adelin had died in the disastrous 'Wreck of the White Ship' a few years earlier.

Matilda returned to England and was named the heir to the throne by her father King Henry I. The Anglo-Norman barons agreed and swore in 1172 to accept her as ruler if Henry I had no son. Henry arranged another marriage for Matilda and on 17 Jun 1128 at Le Mans, Anjou, she married Geoffrey of Anjou who was 11 years younger than she. Geoffrey used the broom flower which has the name 'planta genista' as his emblem and was nicknamed 'Plantagenet. At the time of their marriage he was the Count of Maine and heir to his father Fulk V of Anjou.

The marriage was a rocky one and Matilda returned to her father until 1131 at which time they reconciled. They had three sons.

Matilda was with Geoffrey in Anjou when her father died on 1 Dec 1135 in Normandy, France. Matilda then expected to succeed to the throne of England. However, Stephen of Blois usurped the throne with most of the barons support and was crowned King of England. He was her cousin. He had previously made an oath to defend her rights.

A Civil was began and as a result neither side could keep the throne for very long. Matilda's half-brother, Robert of Gloucester was a loyal & capable supporter. After three years of armed struggle she gained control in Apr 1141 when she defeated and captured King Stephen at the Battle of Linclon. He was therefore a prisoner and deposed. Matilda controlled England but was never styled herself Queen but became known as "Lady of the English".

Stephen became free by November and captured Robert of Gloucester when Matilda was besieged at Oxford. Matilda escaped to Wallingoford by fleeing across the snow in a white cape. Earlier she had excaped Devizes by disguising herself as corpes and carried out for burial.

In 1148, Robert of Gloucester died and Matilda was forced to return to France.

Matilda's son Henry was becoming a successful leader. The civil was had ended in Stephen's favor but his reign was troubled. His son Eustace died in 1153 and the arrival of a military expedition led by Henry made Stepehn acknowledge Henry as heir with the 'Treaty of Wallingford'.

During her last years, Matilda retired to Rouen. She maintained her own court and in the absence of Henry, she presided over the government. She mediated in quarrels of her sons. William went to Rouen with his mother after the courst refused to allow him to marry Countess of Surrey He died in January 1164. He was Matilda's favorite.

Matilda was not loved by the people of her native land. They thought her too foreign and haughty. She spoke three languages: French, German, & Latin. Matilda died in1169 at Rouen and was buried in the cathedral there. The inscription on Matilda's tomb at Rouen, France, read: "Here lies Henry's daughter, wife and mother; great by birth, greater by marriage, but greatest in motherhood."

SOURCES:

Royal Berkshire History - http://www.berkshirehistory.com/bios/matilda.html

Guide to Castles of Europe - Empress Matilda - http://www.guide-to-castles-of-europe.com/empress-matilda.html

Britannia: Monarchs of Britain - http://www.britannia.com/history/monarchs/mon25a.html

Women's History: Empress Matilda

Wikipedia.com

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