Empress Matilda, Contender for the English Throne

Empress Matilda, also known as Empress Maud (c. February 7, 1102–September 10, 1167), the daughter of Henry I of England, is best known in history for the civil war sparked by her fight against her cousin Stephen to win the throne of England for herself and her descendants.  She was also a strong-willed and capable ruler in her own right, the wife of the Holy Roman Emperor, and the mother of Henry II of England. Fast Facts: Empress Matilda Known For: Member of the British royal family whose claim to the throne sparked a civil warAlso Known As: Empress Maud, Holy Roman Empress;  German Queen;  Queen of ItalyBorn: c. February 7, 1102 in either Winchester  or  Sutton Courtenay, EnglandParents: Henry I of England, Matilda of ScotlandDied: September 10, 1167 in Rouen, FranceSpouse(s): Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, Geoffrey V, Count of AnjouChildren: Henry II of England, Geoffrey, Count of Nantes, William FitzEmpress Early Life Matilda was born on or about February 7, 1102, as the daughter of Henry I (Henry Longshanks or Henry Beauclerc), the Duke of Normandy and King of England. Through her father, Matilda was descended from the Norman conquerors of England, including her grandfather William I, Duke of Normandy and King of England, known as William the Conqueror. Through her mothers mother, she was descended from more kings of England: Edmund II Ironside, Ethelred II the Unready, Edgar the Peaceable, Edmund I the Magnificent, Edward I the Elder and Alfred the Great. Matilda or Maud? Maud and Matilda are variations on the same name; Matilda is the Latin form of the Saxon name Maud and was usually used in official documents, especially of Norman origin. Some writers use Empress Maud as their consistent designation for Empress Matilda. These are useful notes to distinguish this Matilda from the many other Matildas around her: Henry I had at least one illegitimate daughter also named Maud or Matilda.Robert, Earl of Gloucester, was married to a Matilda.The rival of Empress Matilda for the crown of England was her cousin Stephen, whose wife, also a cousin of the Empress, was also named Maud or Matilda.  Stephens mother, Adela of Normandy, was a sister of Henry I.The Empress Matildas mother was  Matilda of Scotland. Marriage to Henry V Matilda was betrothed to Henry V, who later became the Holy Roman Emperor, In April 1110, at the age of 8. She later married Henry V and was crowned Queen of the Romans. When Henry V died in 1125, Matilda returned to England at age 23. Matildas younger brother William, the heir to the throne of England as her fathers only surviving legitimate son, had died when the White Ship capsized in 1120. Her father Henry I, therefore, named Matilda his heir and obtained the endorsement of that claim by the nobles of the realm. At the same time, however, Henry I took a second wife in hopes of fathering another legitimate male heir following the death of his first wife. Marriage to Geoffrey of Anjou Henry next arranged a marriage between Matilda and Geoffrey le Bel, often called Geoffrey of Anjou. Geoffrey was 14 and Matilda was 25. He then called upon his good relations with Count Fulk V of Anjou to negotiate the betrothal of Matilda to Fulk’s son Geoffrey le Bel. They were soon married in June 1127. After a brief but tumultuous marriage, Matilda attempted to leave her husband. Geoffrey, however, wanted her to return and, after a royal council, Matilda was sent back to Anjou. At the same time, however, Henry I once again required his nobles to support Matilda as his successor. Geoffrey and Matilda had three sons: Henry II of England, Geoffrey, and William. Death of Henry I Matilda’s father Henry I died in December 1135. Quickly thereafter, Stephen of Blois stepped up to claim Henrys throne. Stephen was Henrys favorite nephew and had been endowed by the deceased king with both lands and riches. Despite having pledged themselves to Matilda, many of Henrys followers reneged on their pledge and followed Stephen, preferring a British male king to a female ruler with a foreign husband. Matilda and her supporters—including Robert of Gloucester and King David I of Scotland—stood up to oppose Stephen, and so began the 19-year civil war known as The Anarchy. The Anarchy For several years between 1138 and 1141, skirmishes between Matilda and Stephen led to castles and lands being taken and lost. Each time one of the contenders seemed to gain the advantage, noblemen changed sides in the war. Finally, in 1141, Matilda captured and imprisoned Stephen. She then made preparations for her coronation in London. On her arrival, however, Matilda immediately began imposing taxes and removing privileges from her soon-to-be subjects. These actions were poorly received and, before Matilda could be crowned, Stephens wife was able to raise an army against Matilda and her supporters. Unable to defeat Stephens army, Matilda retreated to Oxford and released Stephen from prison. Stephen was crowned King of England in 1141, and soon thereafter lay siege to Matilda. Matilda escaped across the Thames River to Devizes Castle, where she set up headquarters for several more years of war. Older Years Finally admitting defeat, Matilda returned to France to her husband and son. After Geoffreys death, she ruled Anjou; at the same time she worked to establish her son Henry II as the heir to the English throne. After Stephens wife and son died, Henry was able to negotiate succession to the throne with Stephen and, in 1154, Henry was crowned King of England. His wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, became queen. Death Matilda died September 11, 1167, and was buried in Rouen at Fontevrault Abbey. Her tomb stated only that she had been the daughter of King Henry, wife of King Henry, and mother of King Henry. Legacy Matilda was an important historical figure whose battle with Stephen had a profound impact on the politics of her time. In addition, as the mother of Henry II (and the person who helped put Henry on the throne) she played an important part in the story of English succession. Sources â€Å"Empress Matilda, Lady of the English.†Ã‚  Medievalists.net, 9 Apr. 2013.â€Å"Queen Matilda, Empress Maud and the Civil War with King Stephen.†Ã‚  Historic UK.