Empress Matilda

Timeline

1. c. 1102–1125Worms · RhinelandBorn in England, she was sent to Germany for education in childhood. In 1114 she married Holy Roman Emperor Henry V and was crowned empress in Rome in 1117, learning statecraft at the German court. After her husband Henry V died in 1125, Matilda returned to England with the imperial seal, carrying the title 'Empress' for life.
2. 1128–1148Rouen · NormandyIn 1128, on her father's orders, she married Geoffrey of Anjou and bore a son Henry (the future Henry II). In 1135 her father Henry I died suddenly and her cousin Stephen was crowned first; Matilda immediately claimed the throne and civil war broke out. In 1141 Stephen was captured at the Battle of Lincoln; Matilda entered London and styled herself 'Lady of the English', but her arrogant demeanor aroused popular resentment and she was expelled the same year. Thereafter the war stalemated, and Matilda insisted on fighting in England until withdrawing in 1148.
3. 1148–1167Rouen · NormandyAfter withdrawing from the English succession struggle she settled in Rouen, assisting her son Henry in consolidating Normandy with outstanding diplomatic and administrative skills, and mediating relations with the English nobility. The Treaty of Wallingford in 1153 finally recognized Henry as heir to England; though Matilda never personally took the throne, she secured the dynasty's continuation through her son. She died in Rouen in September 1167 and was buried at Bec Abbey.