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.

Elisabeth van Houts is emeritus honorary professor in European medieval history at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Emmanuel College. She is the author and editor of numerous books, including Married Life in the Middle Ages, 900–1300 and The Normans in Europe.

Informations pratiques :

Elisabeth van Houts, Empress Matilda. Queen of the Romans, Ruler of the English, Yale, yale Unievrsity Press, 2026 ; 1 vol., 464 p. (The English Monarchs Series). ISBN : 978-0-30026-608-5. Prix : USD 40,00.

Source : Yale University Press