Historical Figure
Empress Matilda
1102–1167
Holy Roman Empress from 1114 to 1125; claimant to the English throne
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Biography
Empress Matilda, also known as Empress Maud, was Holy Roman Empress as the consort of Emperor Henry V from 1110 until his death in 1125, and was subsequently a claimant to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy. Following the death of her father, King Henry I of England, she asserted her right to the English throne as his only surviving legitimate child and styled herself Lady of the English. However, her cousin Stephen of Blois was crowned king in her place.
In Their Own Words (5)
I did not glue my hat to my head! The hat shrunk! The fibers fused to my hair!
Shut up! The entire school will stay another FIVE HOURS after school and copy from the dictionary! Any child who object will go straight into the Chokey... TOGETHER!
Hop to, hippity-hop! The entire school will go to the assembly room, immediately. Sit!
I'd be happy to walk her home. [Zinnia: Well, nobody will be there. We're moving to Guam. Come on. Let's go.] Guam?
You're a Wormwood, you start acting like one! Sit up and look at the TV!
Timeline
The story of Empress Matilda, told in moments.
Married Holy Roman Emperor Henry V at 12. Became Empress. She took to the role. When Henry died in 1125, she returned to her father's court in England.
Her father Henry I died. Despite naming Matilda his heir, her cousin Stephen of Blois seized the English throne. Matilda refused to accept it.
Captured Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln and controlled England for months. Called herself Lady of the English. But her harsh rule alienated London's citizens, who drove her out before she could be crowned.
Withdrew to Normandy after years of civil war. Shifted her strategy to securing the throne for her son Henry instead. It worked. He became Henry II in 1154.
Died in Rouen at 65. Never became queen. But her son founded the Plantagenet dynasty, which ruled England for over 300 years. Her epitaph read: "Great by birth, greater by marriage, greatest in her offspring."
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