Description

An authoritative new biography of Empress Matilda

Born in 1102, Empress Matilda combined the blood of two dynasties: the house of Wessex and their conquerors, the dukes of Normandy. As a widowed German empress, she was named as heir successor by her father, Henry I. But, after his death in 1135, Matilda’s place on the English throne was usurped by her cousin, Stephen of Blois. Civil war followed, and she ruled the south-west of England in opposition.

Elisabeth van Houts explores the remarkable life of medieval England’s only queen regnant. Van Houts examines female rulership in the Middle Ages, from Matilda’s relationships with her husbands, to her self-identification as granddaughter of William the Conqueror. Matilda used her persuasiveness effectively with the men who surrounded her, including her father, husbands, half-brothers and cousins.

This is a fascinating account, which reveals Matilda to be an assertive, if on occasion disappointed, woman who made the best of her position with intelligence and stamina.

Publisher Review

“Prof van Houts cites old and new sources material here in abundance, bringing all the evidence to bear on what is a convincing and an exceptional account of Matilda ‘as an intelligent, assertive and capable woman’.”-David Robinson, Country Life

“This book introduces a Matilda we have not previously seen so clearly: someone who was flexible in her judgment and actions, a resilient, confident woman . . . a compelling and charismatic queen who has finally received her dues.”-Gabrielle Storey, HistoryExtra

“This elegant and deeply researched book traces the extraordinary life and political fortunes of Empress Matilda-queen by inheritance of England and by marriage of Germany-a self-styled “female lord” whose political acumen, intelligence, and steadfast competence earned her friends and supporters across Europe. Elisabeth van Houts recounts Matilda’s life with characteristic brilliance, offering a foundational reinterpretation of her career as a dynastic bride, heiress, and royal mother-and, above all, as a resolute queen in a world ruled by men.”-Fiona Griffiths, author of Nuns’ Priests’ Tales

“Elisabeth van Houts, one of the finest medievalists of her generation, has written a brilliantly constructed and superbly engaging biography of the female ruler whose crown was stolen by men. Tapping the full range of chronicles, charters and poems, like no biographer before, she reveals Matilda as a resourceful and versatile woman, loved and admired by followers and more than a match for the challenges she faced. Empress Matilda is the highlight of a glittering career-a must-have biography of an exceptional monarch.”-Tom Licence, author of Edward the Confessor

“This retelling of the story of one of the most fascinating and intelligent female rulers of the Middle Ages is both magisterial and fresh. The author’s unrivalled knowledge and sensitive reading of the primary sources makes for a study replete with rich, compelling, and original insights. The Empress emerges as never before as a fully-rounded figure – daughter, wife and mother, consort, adviser and ruler.”-Lindy Grant, author of Eleanor of Aquitaine

“Deploying a new range of sources, this biography of Matilda breaks fresh ground. With the twists and turns of the political narrative illuminated as never before, Matilda emerges as at turns capable, courageous, astute, arrogant, vindictive and above all indomitable.”-David Carpenter, author of Henry III