Matilda the Empress, of England ^{1 2 3}

   Another name for Matilda was Maud.

  General Notes:

First marriage to Henry V, Emperor of Germany.

She was designated Henry's heir, and on his death (1135), Stephen siezed the throne and Matilda invaded England (1139) inuagurating a period of inconclusive civil war. She and her second husband (Geoffrey) captured Normandy and in 1152 the Treaty of Wallingford recognised her son Henry as Stephen's heir. Burke says she was betrothed in her eight year (1119) to Henry.

Matilda or Maud

Queen of England, daughter of Henry I of England. Henry arranged a marriage for her with Holy Roman Emperor Henry V, and she was sent to Germany, betrothed, and five years later (1114) married to him. Empress Matilda was popular in Germany and seemed more German than English, but after her husband's death (1125) she returned to England. Since her only legitimate brother had died (1120), her father devoted himself to securing for her the succession to the English throne, and the barons did in fact recognize her as Henry's heir in 1127. In 1128 she married Geoffrey IV of Anjou, to whom she bore three sons, the eldest being the future Henry II. Both she and her marriage were unpopular in England, however, and on Henry I's death in 1135 the barons gave their support to Matilda's cousin Stephen, who seized the throne. In 1139, Matilda, aided by her half-brother Robert, earl of Gloucester, undertook to recover the throne. After the defeat and capture of Stephen in 1141, she was elected "Lady of the English"; but her arrogance alienated supporters, and the captive Stephen had to be freed in a prisoner exchange for Gloucester. Before the end of the year her forces were routed at Winchester, and the same powerful clergy who had enthroned her then deposed her and declared for Stephen. The struggle continued, but never greatly in her favor. In 1148 she withdrew; her son Henry inherited her claim to the throne and was recognized as heir in 1153. Matilda spent her remaining years in Normandy and became noted for her charity.

  Noted events in her life were:

• She was employed. Queen of England.

Matilda married Henry V, Emperor of Germany, son of Henry IV of Germany and Bertha of Savoy, on 7 Jan 1114 in Mainz, Germany. (Henry V, Emperor of Germany was born on 11 Aug 1086 and died on 23 May 1125 in Utrecht, Friesland.)

Matilda next married Geoffrey IV Plantagenet, son of Fulk V the Younger of Anjou and Ermengard of Maine, on 22 May 1128 in Le Mans Cathedral, Anjou. (Geoffrey IV Plantagenet was born on 24 Aug 1113, died on 7 Sep 1151 in Château-du-Loir, France and was buried in St. Julian's Church, Le Mans, Anjou.)