Matilda (Maud), Empress of Germany, "Lady of the English"
born before August 5th, 1102 in London, Middlesex, England
"christened "Adelaide" at birth but adopted the name Matilda on her marriage in 1114 to the German Emperor Henry V. Since she was only 12 at the time it was clearly a political marriage and she does not seem to have been especially happy. Raised in the strict atmosphere of the German courts, Matilda acquired a haughty almost arrogant nature. She was used to having her own way and found it difficult to make friends. When her husband died in 1125, she returned to England to be acknowledged as heir to her father because of the death of her older brothers some years earlier. Although the barons swore their fealty, they did not relish the idea of being ruled by a woman, particularly as she was married a 2nd time to the young count of Anjou. When STEPHEN claimed the throne on Henry's death in 1135, the barons rallied around them. Matilda's hour came when her half brother Robert of Gloucester (illegitmate son on Henry) rebelled. For the next 8 years England was in the grip of a civil war. Matilda secured the support of Stephen's brother and that allowed her access to the royal coffers. She arrived in London a few weeks later and was declared "Lady of the English." Although preparations were made for her coronation as queen, it never happened. Matilda rapidly made herself unpopular by raising taxes on the nobility and revoking status of a commune which had been granted to London by Stephen. She was driven out of London by Stephen's queen (also named Matilda); Robert was captured and Matilda only narrowly escaped from the castle by rope from an open window, dressing herself in white to blend in with the snow. Matilda never returned to England but lived to see the succession of her son Henry II to the throne. Although she reigned as uncrowned queen for less than a year, Matilda was the first queen of all England. Had she not been so arrogant and fiery tempered, she might be remembered more for her successes than her failures". Notes from British Kings and Queens by Mike Ashley.
died September 10th, 1169 in Notre Dame, Rouen, Seine, Maritime, France
burial Bec Abbey, Le Bec-Hellovim, Kure, France
SRC: familysearch.com, AFN: 9FMO-NC