[112] In 1138, he rebelled against Stephen, starting the descent into civil war in England. [234] She appointed earls to rival those created by Stephen.

Stephen then proceeded to attack Oxford and besieged its castle, where Matilda was based, forcing her to flee to Abingdon Abbey and then Wallingford Castle.

[215] Matilda appears to have had particular fondness for her youngest son William. This book presents a fairly persuasive case that the period of the civil war between these two was not quite the uniformly awful anarchy that is commonly depicted, and that Stephen was not the weak ... Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-53. The war degenerated into a stalemate, with Matilda controlling much of the south-west of England, and Stephen the south-east and the Midlands. His wife Matilda was sent to Kent with ships and resources from Boulogne, with the task of retaking the key port of Dover, under Robert's control. [117] Dover finally surrendered to the Queen's forces later in the year. Fast and free shipping free returns cash on delivery available on eligible purchase.

The author follows many primary sources of the time and usually states which ones he uses and when they stop becoming useful.

[13], In her old age Matilda paid increasing attention to Church affairs and her personal faith, although she remained involved in governing Normandy throughout her life. [34], In 1118, Henry returned north over the Alps into Germany to suppress fresh rebellions, leaving Matilda as his regent to govern Italy. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.

The book looks at colourful characters and brings to life the civil war and the ensuing battle for the English Crown. [201], Matilda increasingly devoted her efforts to the administration of Normandy, rather than the war in England. Some historians, including David Crouch and Helmerichs, argue that Theobald and Stephen had probably already made a private deal to seize the throne when Henry died. [228] Additionally, it was also conventional that newly elected kings use dominus until their coronation as rex, 'king', the interval being counted as an interregnum. [265] Peters paints the Empress as proud and aloof, in contrast to Stephen, a tolerant man and a reasonable ruler. She worked extensively with the Church, founding Cistercian monasteries, and was known for her piety. [111], Matilda's half-brother, Robert of Gloucester, was one of the most powerful Anglo-Norman barons, controlling estates in Normandy as well as the Earldom of Gloucester. Please try again. After this, Matilda’s behavior and temper caused her to lose support and Stephen was released and ruled again.

Unfortunately for Matilda, Stephen’s men defeated Henry’s small force and most of Henry’s followers deserted him. [32] Nonetheless, Matilda maintained that she had been officially crowned as the empress in Rome. [138] The conference collapsed after Henry and the clergy insisted that they should set the terms of any peace deal, which Stephen's representatives found unacceptable.

[8], Matilda had a younger, legitimate brother, William Adelin, and her father's relationships with numerous mistresses resulted in around 22 illegitimate siblings. But heavy going in places.

[266] Matilda's martial reputation may also have contributed to Alfred, Lord Tennyson's decision to entitle his 1855 battle poem "Maud". [171] Just before Christmas, Matilda sneaked out of the castle with a handful of knights (probably via a postern gate), crossed the icy river and made her escape past the royal army on foot to Abingdon-on-Thames and then riding to safety at Wallingford, leaving the castle garrison to surrender the next day. Stephen was the third son of Stephen, Count of Blois and Chartres, and Adela, daughter of King William I the Conqueror. [132] Stephen continued into Wiltshire to attack Trowbridge, taking the castles of South Cerney and Malmesbury en route.

[194] Geoffrey of Anjou expected Henry to become the King of England and began to involve him in the government of the family lands. 1 Review. [59], Matilda returned to Normandy in 1125 and spent about a year at the royal court, where her father was still hoping that his second marriage would generate a son. Matilda's role in government in Germany was not unusual for the period; German emperors and princes frequently delegated administrative and military duties to their wives. Please try your request again later. [229] Since she was never crowned at Westminster, during the rest of the war she appears to have used this title rather than that of the Queen of England, although some contemporaries referred to her by the royal title. [66], Matilda appears to have been unimpressed by the prospect of marrying Geoffrey of Anjou.

His friend and advisor Waleran was one of those who decided to defect in mid-1141, crossing into Normandy to secure his ancestral possessions by allying himself with the Angevins, and bringing Worcestershire into the Empress's camp.

[199] Matilda re-established her court in Rouen, where she met with her sons and husband and probably made arrangements for her future life in Normandy, and for Henry's next expedition to England.

[75] It is also unknown whether Henry intended Geoffrey to have any future claim on England or Normandy, and he was probably keeping Geoffrey's status deliberately uncertain.

[166] Stephen travelled north to raise new forces and to successfully persuade Ranulf of Chester to change sides once again. Full use has been made of the numerous detailed chronicle sources which give some indication of the horrors of twelfth-century war, the depredations which affected the ordinary people of the land, and the atrocities which sometimes accompanied it.

[249] Once Henry II assumed the throne, the tone of the chroniclers towards Matilda became more positive.

The royal control over the minting of coins broke down, leading to coins being struck by local barons and bishops across the country. ), as successor to the throne. [29] Matilda used these ceremonies to claim the title of the Empress of the Holy Roman Empire.

[60] If this failed to happen, Matilda was Henry's preferred choice, and he declared that she was to be his rightful successor if he should not have another legitimate son.

Though charming, attractive and (when required) a brave warrior, Stephen (reigned 1135-54) lacked ruthlessness and failed to inspire loyalty. [225] As an imperatrix, 'empress', her status was elevated in mediaeval social and political thought above all men in England and France. [109] South Wales rose in rebellion, and by 1137 Stephen was forced to abandon attempts to suppress the revolt. [114] Matilda had not been particularly active in asserting her claims to the throne since 1135 and in many ways it was Robert who took the initiative in declaring war in 1138. [13] Matilda was more easy-going in her later life than in her youth, but the chronicler of Mont St Jacques, who met her during this period, still felt that she appeared to be "of the stock of tyrants". Meanwhile, Geoffrey of Anjou finished securing his hold on southern Normandy, and in January 1144 he advanced into Rouen, the capital of the Duchy, concluding his campaign.

[196] In the end Stephen himself ended up paying off Henry's mercenaries, allowing him to return home safely; his reasons for doing so remain unclear. However, she quickly lost support from the people of London for another reason. After the latter's death in 1147, Matilda retired to Normandy (which her husband, Geoffrey Count of Anjou had conquered) in 1148. Stephen and Matilda: The Civil War of 1139-53. Meanwhile, Matilda's younger brother, William Adelin, died in the White Ship disaster of 1120, leaving Matilda's father and England facing a potential succession crisis. Quarrels about this would eventually lead to the infamous falling-out between Henry II and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, and the latter’s murder. In Germany, the chroniclers praised Matilda extensively and her reputation as the "good Matilda" remained positive. Geoffrey and Matilda had secured much of Normandy and, together with Robert, spent the beginning of the year mobilising forces for a cross-Channel expedition. Though the economy was in tatters due to long periods of fighting, Henry II united a kingdom that had been torn apart, dismissing the Scottish and Welsh invaders who had taken advantage of the chaos. This stated that Stephen should remain king for life (in the event this was less than one more year) and then Henry should succeed him. [86] Contemporary chronicler accounts were coloured by subsequent events.

[208], Matilda spent the rest of her life in Normandy, often acting as Henry's representative and presiding over the government of the Duchy.

© 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. A number of nobles wanted to regain what they saw as hereditary rights to lands that had changed hands during Henry I’s reign, and some changed sides frequently to gain advantage. [212] Frederick I, the Holy Roman Emperor, considered the hand to be part of the imperial regalia and requested that Henry return it to Germany. Historian Robert Helmerichs, for example, describes some of the inconsistencies in these accounts. [175] She established her household knights on the surrounding estates, supported by Flemish mercenaries, ruling through the network of local sheriffs and other officials. [166] Instead, in November the two sides simply exchanged the two leaders, Stephen returning to his queen, and Robert to the Empress in Oxford.

[51] It was also traditional for the King of France to crown his successor while he was still alive, making the intended line of succession relatively clear. [226] Matilda's enthroned portrait on her circular seal distinguished her from elite English contemporaries, both women - whose seals were usually oval with standing portraits - and men, whose seals were usually equestrian portraits. Matilda was forced to flee to Oxford when an angry mob and the London militia advanced on Westminster.

'mistress'), are possible.

Matilda was born to Henry I, King of England and Duke of Normandy, and his first wife, Matilda of Scotland, possibly around 7 February 1102 at Sutton Courtenay, in Berkshire. Defeated in the ensuing battle, Stephen was taken to Bristol and held prisoner for nearly nine months. [253] By the 18th century, historians such as David Hume had a much better understanding of the irregular nature of 12th century law and custom and this question became less relevant. [69] Henry's solution was now to negotiate the marriage of Matilda to Geoffrey, recreating the former alliance.

Civil war and the battle for the English Crown dominated the reign of King Stephen, and this popular account is the only complete account of the complex and fascinating military situation.

Strictly speaking, the ceremonies were not imperial coronations but instead were formal "crown-wearing" occasions, among the few times in the year when the rulers would wear their crowns in court.

'queen' carried the implication of a king's wife only, the Old English: hlaefdige, lit. Matilda became trapped in Oxford Castle by Stephen's forces that winter, and to avoid capture was forced to escape at night across the frozen River Isis to Abingdon, reputedly wearing white as camouflage in the snow.

Onc… In 1147, Robert of Gloucester died, and with him the main thrust of Matilda’s military campaign.

In 1139, Matilda crossed to England to take the kingdom by force, supported by her half-brother Robert of Gloucester and her uncle King David I of Scotland, while Geoffrey focused on conquering Normandy. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App.

Theobald’s younger brother Stephen, however, had other ideas. [188] Matilda authorised Reginald, the Earl of Cornwall, to attempt fresh peace negotiations, but neither side was prepared to compromise.

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