Mathilde, Queen of England (introduction)

Empress Matilda (1102 to 1167) was the claimant to the throne of England during the Civil War known as The Anarchy. She was the daughter of King Henry the First of England. She moved to Germany as a child to marry the future Holy Roman Emperor Henry V. The two had no children. When her husband died in 1125, Lothair II became the Holy Roman Emperor.

In 1120, Matilda's younger brother, William Adelin, died in the White Ship disaster, leaving England with a succession crises. When her husband died, Matilda was called back to England by her father to marry Geoffrey of Anjou. The marriage would create an alliance to protect Henry the First's borders in France. Henry the First had no other legitimate children and nominated Matilda as his heir. Henry the First made his court swear an oath of loyalty to her and her successors. It was a decision that was not popular in the Anglo-Norman court. Henry died in 1135, but Matilda and Geoffrey faced opposition from the Norman barons and were unable to pursue their claims. The throne was instead taken by Matilda's cousin, Stephen of Blois. The English church backed Stephen, but even Stephen faced threats in his new kingdom.

In 1139, the Empress Matilda crossed the English Channel to take the throne of England by force, while her husband Geoffrey focused on conquering Normandy. Matilda was supported by her half-brother Rober of Gloucester and her uncle, King David the First of Scotland. Matilda's forces captured Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln in 1141, but Matilda's coronation as the Queen of England in her own right was thwarted by the people of London. Matilda and her army were forced to retreat. As a result, Matilda was never crowned Queen. She was instead given the title, Lady of England. Her half-brother Robert was captured following the Rout of Manchester in 1141. Matilda later agreed to swap Stephen for Robert.

Later on in that winter, Matilda was trapped in Oxford Castle by Stephen's army. She and her entourage were forced to escape across the River Isis at night in order to avoid capture. The war ended in a stalemate with Matilda controlling much of the southwest and Stephen controlling the south east and midlands. Much of England was still in the hands of local, independent barons.

Matilda returned to Normandy, now in the hands of husband Geoffrey, in 1148. Matilda's eldest son continued the campaign in England. He was crowned Henry the Second in 1154. Matilda settled near Rouen, France. She spent the rest of her life looking after her and her husband's interest in Normandy. During the early part of Henry the Second's reign, Matilda provided political advice. She also worked extensively with the church, founding Cistercian Monasteries. She was well known for her piety and good works. She was buried under the high alter at Bec Abbey after her death in 1167.