Matilda Biography

Birth of Matilda, daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland

Crowned in Westminster Abbey

Instegates the construction of Bow Bridge, the 1st stone bridge in England

Birth of Matilda, daughter of Henry I

Death of William, Henry I names Matilda his heir

Henry I arranged Matilda to marry Count Geoffrey to secure the succession

Henry Is only legitimate son, William drowns, Matilda becomes heir as eldest daughter

Death of Henry V, Matildas husband

Returns to England after the death of her husband, Henry V

Returns to the English court as the only surviving legitimate child

Succeeds as Queen of England

Stephen promises to respect Matildas claim to the throne

David I & clerical & lay magnates of England accept Matilda as heir

David I & clerical & lay magnates of England accept Matilda as heir

Marries Count Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou. Arranged by Henry I to mollify northern France. Arranged by Henry I to improve chances of succeeding him in Normandy & England

Birth of Henry II, son of Matilda His mother, Empress Matilda, was a claimant to the English throne as the daughter of Henry I (1100-1135), son of William The Conqueror, Duke of Normandy

The Norman Lords break their oath to Henry I & offer the crown to Stephen, not Matilda

Succeeds as Queen of England, the Barons support Matilda until Henrys death

The Norman Lords break their oath to Henry I & offer the crown to Stephen, not Matilda

Lands with an army at Arundel, marking the beginning of the civil war. Claims the throne after Stephen had broken his oath & claimed it for himself. Arrives in person to claim the throne

The Church lays claim to elect & consecrate a sovereign challeging London's rights

Given refuge in Arundel Castle by the Duke of Norfolk

Succeeds as Queen of England. Reigns for 6 months as "domina" of the English

The Church lays claim to elect & consecrate a sovereign challeging London's rights

Captures Stephen of Blois at the Battle of Lincoln

Matilda defeats Stephen then imprisons him in Bristol. Declared "Lady of England", in effect Queen, after the battle

Declared "lady of the English" by Henry of Blois as a preliminary to the coronation

Elected Queen of England, supported by Bishop Henry of Winchester

Matilda is driven out of London due to her arrogance. Londoners besiege Matildas ally Geoffrey de Mandeville

Attempts to become the 1st crowned Queen of England but has to leave London

The rebellion is provoked by Matildas arrogance & tax demands. Londoners expel Matilda from Westminster during a banquet. Attempts to become the 1st crowned Queen of England but has to leave London

Forced to flee to Oxford from London

Exchanges Stephen for the Earl of Gloucester, her half brother & most valued ally

Crowned for a 2nd time with Stephen by Archbishop Theobald

Stephen falls ill & Matilda joins forces with Geoffrey of Anjou

King Stephen takes Oxford & besieges the empress in Oxford castle

Matilda leaves for Normandy to join her husband Geoffrey of Anjou. Count Geoffrey fails to support Matilda & Robert of Gloucester dies

Matilda retires to Normandy

Matildas son Henry II becomes Duke of Normandy

Matilda returns to France

The Treaty of Winchester recognizes Matildas son Henry next King of England. The Treaty of Winchester allows William, Stephens son, to keep his French lands

The Treaty of Winchester recognizes Matildas son Henry next King of England. The Treaty of Winchester allows William, Stephens son, to keep his French lands

Buried in the Abbey Church of Bec-Hellouin

Death of Matilda

Marries Emperor Henry II, the ceremony takes place at Brunswick