Matilda Biography and Timeline

Birth of Matilda

Birth of Matilda, daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland

Role range: 1031-1060

Coronation

Crowned in Westminster Abbey

Bow Bridge

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Birth of Matilda

Birth of Matilda, daughter of Henry I

Role range: 1141-1142

Death of Matilda

Death of William, Henry I names Matilda his heir

Role range: 1141-1142

Marriage

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Death of Matilda

Death of Henry V, Matildas husband

Role range: 1141-1142

Exile of Matilda

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

Returns to the English court as the only surviving legitimate child

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

Succeeds as Queen of England

Role range: 1141-1142

Oath

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

Stephen promises to respect Matildas claim to the throne

Role range: 1141-1142

Marriage

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Birth of Henry II

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Invasion of England

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Arrest of Stephen

Captures Stephen of Blois at the Battle of Lincoln

Role range: 1141-1142

Battle of Lincoln

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

Role range: 1135-1154

Succession

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

Role range: 1135-1154

Election

Elected Queen of England, supported by Bishop Henry of Winchester

Role range: 1135-1154

Coronation

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

Role range: 1135-1154

Rebellion of Rebels in 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

Role range: 1135-1154

Rebellion of Rebels in Oxford

Forced to flee to Oxford from London

Role range: 1135-1154

Siege of Tower of London

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

Role range: 1135-1154

Arrest of Stephen

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Coronation

Crowned for a 2nd time with Stephen by Archbishop Theobald

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Consecration

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

Role range: 1135-1154

Siege of Arundel

Given refuge in Arundel Castle by the Duke of Norfolk

Role range: 1141-1142

Synod

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

Role range: 1135-1154

Siege of Oxford

King Stephen takes Oxford & besieges the empress in Oxford castle

Role range: 1141-1142

Alliance Stephen falls ill and Matilda and Geoffrey of Anjou

Stephen falls ill & Matilda joins forces with Geoffrey of Anjou

Role range: 1141-1142

Exile of Matilda

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

Role range: 1141-1142

Exile of Matilda

Matilda retires to Normandy

Role range: 1141-1142

Succession

Matildas son Henry II becomes Duke of Normandy

Role range: 1141-1142

Treaty of Winchester

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

Role range: 1141-1142