Matilda Queen of England
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After three years of armed struggle, she at last gained the upper hand at the Battle of Lincoln where an army led by her half-brother Robert of Gloucester, in February 1141, captured King Stephen, and sent him to imprisonment at the castle of Bristol which Matilda controlled. | After three years of armed struggle, she at last gained the upper hand at the Battle of Lincoln where an army led by her half-brother Robert of Gloucester, in February 1141, captured King Stephen, and sent him to imprisonment at the castle of Bristol which Matilda controlled. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Civil War 1141-52== |
However, despite being declared "Lady and Queen of the English" at Winchester and winning over Stephen's brother, Henry of Blois, the powerful Bishop of Winchester, Matilda alienated the citizens of London with her arrogant manner. She failed to secure her coronation and the Londoners joined a renewed push from Stephen's Queen and laid siege to the Empress in Winchester. She managed to escape to the West, but while commanding her rearguard, her brother was captured by the enemy. | However, despite being declared "Lady and Queen of the English" at Winchester and winning over Stephen's brother, Henry of Blois, the powerful Bishop of Winchester, Matilda alienated the citizens of London with her arrogant manner. She failed to secure her coronation and the Londoners joined a renewed push from Stephen's Queen and laid siege to the Empress in Winchester. She managed to escape to the West, but while commanding her rearguard, her brother was captured by the enemy. | ||
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Meanwhile Geoffrey has gone on the offensive in Normandy and after a rapid campaign, it falls into his hands, with Rouen surrendering Jan 1144. In 1148, after the death of her half-brother, Matilda finally returned to Normandy, leaving her son Henry to fight on in England. In 1152 the Treaty of Wallingford recognised Henry as Stephen's heir. | Meanwhile Geoffrey has gone on the offensive in Normandy and after a rapid campaign, it falls into his hands, with Rouen surrendering Jan 1144. In 1148, after the death of her half-brother, Matilda finally returned to Normandy, leaving her son Henry to fight on in England. In 1152 the Treaty of Wallingford recognised Henry as Stephen's heir. | ||
| + | ==Later Live== | ||
Matilda died at Rouen on 10th September 1169 and was buried in Fontevrault Abbey, though some of her entrails may possibly have been later interred in her father's foundation at Reading Abbey. | Matilda died at Rouen on 10th September 1169 and was buried in Fontevrault Abbey, though some of her entrails may possibly have been later interred in her father's foundation at Reading Abbey. | ||
