Matilda Queen of England
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'''Matilda''', Princess of England, Queen of Germany, Countess of Anjou, heiress to Normany, Queen of England in 1141 | '''Matilda''', Princess of England, Queen of Germany, Countess of Anjou, heiress to Normany, Queen of England in 1141 | ||
| + | ==Early Life== | ||
Matilda (Maud) was the only surviving legitimate child of [[Henry I, King of England]]. She was born in 1101, generally it is said at Winchester, but other research indicates that she was possibly born at the Royal Palace in Sutton Courtenay (Berkshire). In something of a political coup for her father, Matilda was betrothed to the new Holy Roman Emperor, Henry V, when she was only eight and went to live there at his court. They were married on 7th January 1114. She was twelve and he was thirty-two. There were no children by this union. | Matilda (Maud) was the only surviving legitimate child of [[Henry I, King of England]]. She was born in 1101, generally it is said at Winchester, but other research indicates that she was possibly born at the Royal Palace in Sutton Courtenay (Berkshire). In something of a political coup for her father, Matilda was betrothed to the new Holy Roman Emperor, Henry V, when she was only eight and went to live there at his court. They were married on 7th January 1114. She was twelve and he was thirty-two. There were no children by this union. | ||
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Matilda stayed in Germany for a little over a year after her husband's death, but her father wanted her back in England, recalling her in 1126. She left reluctantly, she had lived in Germany since the age of eight and she loved the people. They also, at least some of them, wanted her to stay on and rule them in her husband's place. But her father insisted and she returned with him to England Sep 1126. | Matilda stayed in Germany for a little over a year after her husband's death, but her father wanted her back in England, recalling her in 1126. She left reluctantly, she had lived in Germany since the age of eight and she loved the people. They also, at least some of them, wanted her to stay on and rule them in her husband's place. But her father insisted and she returned with him to England Sep 1126. | ||
| + | ==Middle Life== | ||
The following January, Henry demanded and obtained, baronial consent to Matilda being named his heir. She was now her father's only hope for the continuation of his dynasty. Matilda did not yet have any children of her own and so in April 1127, Matilda found herself obliged to betroth Prince Geoffrey of Anjou and Maine (the future Geoffrey V, Count of those Regions). At the time, he was but thirteen, while she was twenty-three. The marriage took place two years later in Jun 1129. Her new father-in-law Fulk left soon after to become King of the Crusader nation of Jerusalem, while Matilda and Geoffrey sat as rulers in Anjou. | The following January, Henry demanded and obtained, baronial consent to Matilda being named his heir. She was now her father's only hope for the continuation of his dynasty. Matilda did not yet have any children of her own and so in April 1127, Matilda found herself obliged to betroth Prince Geoffrey of Anjou and Maine (the future Geoffrey V, Count of those Regions). At the time, he was but thirteen, while she was twenty-three. The marriage took place two years later in Jun 1129. Her new father-in-law Fulk left soon after to become King of the Crusader nation of Jerusalem, while Matilda and Geoffrey sat as rulers in Anjou. | ||
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| + | Henry returned to England, but almost upon arrival he heard the news that Geoffrey had repudiated his wife Matilda, and she had returned to the court in Normandy. Matilda spent two years in Normandy before coming to her father's court in England in 1131. A request was presented from Geoffrey that Matilda be sent back to him and at a baronial meeting 8 Sep 1131, it was decided that yes, she should go. Henry however took this opportunity to make the barons once again swear fealty to Matilda's right to the throne upon his death. Matilda did then go to Anjou where she was "received with great honor". | ||
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| + | On 25 Mar 1133, Matilda had her first child, the future Henry II, and the year following on 1 Jun 1134, her second who would become Geoffrey, Count of Anjou. Matilda's husband, antsy for influence, took this opportunity to make small military harassment's on his father-in-law Henry, to try to compel some settlement out of Norman property for them and their children. Matilda backed her husband, and thus was estranged from her father Henry when he died 1 Dec 1135 in England. Nevertheless, although one source claims that on his deathbed he declared for his favorite nephew Stephen, this is not likely, and other sources state that on his deathbed he declared again that Matilda was his heir and all his interests should flow to her. | ||
