Matilda of Flanders
Facts
Name: Matilda of Flanders
Married to: William the Conqueror in 1052 C.E
Family connections: Daughter of Baldwin V, and Adele (the daughter of Frances, Robert
Children: King William Rufus and Henry Beauclerc (King Henry I). She had 10 children but only 2 of them were well known
Lifespan: 1031-1083 CEA
Life story
One of the most influential medieval Queens of England was Matilda of Flanders. She was the wife of William the Conqueror. Flanders was a principality
north of France, roughly where Belgium is now.
Matilda was born into a very powerful family. Matilda’s father was Count Baldwin V and her mother was Adela. Her mother, Aldela was daughter of Robert II (The Pious), King of France. Also her great-great-great grandfather (on her father’s side) was married to Elftrude, the daughter of Alfred
the Great, King of Wessex (England).
There was no exact evidence of the exact date of Matilda’s birth. Though the best guess is in the year 1031 C.E. Flanders was a very primitive
area compared to Normandy but under the rule of Matilda’s father, things were beginning to improve. This was mostly due to trade and textiles. He amassed some wealth so Matilda probably lived in some comfort. Her mother was highly educated and made sure that her children were also given a superior education, including Matilda.
Due to Flanders’ strategic position in Europe, her father’s wealth andher high rank, Matilda was highly sought after as a bride. When Matilda was
between 15 and 18, King Edward the Confessor of England sent an "agent" to Flanders named Brihtric Mau, a rich Anglo-Saxon landowner. Apparently Matilda
fell in love with Brihtric and without telling her parents, sent him a message asking him to marry her. He rejected her proposal. Matilda was furious. She had
risked her reputation and lost. This could have been jeopardized herfuture.
But Matilda came to the attention of the rich and powerful William, Duke of Normandy. There is a legend that says when Matilda was asked if she
would marry the Duke of Normandy, she declined saying she was too high born, and was not worthy of her hand in marriage. The legend also says when William heard of her refusal, he rode to Flanders, beat Matilda and left. After this she agreed to marry him.
Matilda and William were married in 1053, despite a papal ban on their marriage due to consanguinity (being closely related). William was just a few
years older than Matilda. It is said that William was entirely faithful to Matilda for the duration of their marriage, which would have been highly unusual
for the time. William and Matilda had at least 10 children.
William and Matilda fought the papal ban on their marriage for almost a decade. When the ban was finally lifted in 1062. William spent the years from their marriage to 1066 C.E consolidating his power in Normandy. When King Edward the Confessor of England died in 1066C.E, William was ready to claim the throne of England by invading and attacking King Harold, Edward’s successor.
Matilda gave William a ship called the “Mora” in which he sailed to England. William named Matilda as ruler of Normandy while he was gone, ruling in
the name of her eldest son Robert. He trusted her fully to keep the kingdom safe. He went on to defeat King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and was crowned
King of England soon after. Matilda came to England in March of 1068C.E to be crowned Queen.
Matilda had great responsibilities as Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy from this time forward. She was greatly admired for her ability to plan
and stage events like Easter and Christmas celebrations. William was fond of having what he called “crown wearing “ events where he wore his crown in public
to show his strength as a ruler. Matilda also helped rule Normandy when William was in England.
William was faithful to Matilda for the next four years of his life. Despite the turbulence of their relationship, it was a long, successful marriage. Matilda had enhanced William’s reputation and was sorely missed when she was gone. Two of her sons became King of England, William Rufus II and Henry I.
Name: Matilda of Flanders
Married to: William the Conqueror in 1052 C.E
Family connections: Daughter of Baldwin V, and Adele (the daughter of Frances, Robert
Children: King William Rufus and Henry Beauclerc (King Henry I). She had 10 children but only 2 of them were well known
Lifespan: 1031-1083 CEA
Life story
One of the most influential medieval Queens of England was Matilda of Flanders. She was the wife of William the Conqueror. Flanders was a principality
north of France, roughly where Belgium is now.
Matilda was born into a very powerful family. Matilda’s father was Count Baldwin V and her mother was Adela. Her mother, Aldela was daughter of Robert II (The Pious), King of France. Also her great-great-great grandfather (on her father’s side) was married to Elftrude, the daughter of Alfred
the Great, King of Wessex (England).
There was no exact evidence of the exact date of Matilda’s birth. Though the best guess is in the year 1031 C.E. Flanders was a very primitive
area compared to Normandy but under the rule of Matilda’s father, things were beginning to improve. This was mostly due to trade and textiles. He amassed some wealth so Matilda probably lived in some comfort. Her mother was highly educated and made sure that her children were also given a superior education, including Matilda.
Due to Flanders’ strategic position in Europe, her father’s wealth andher high rank, Matilda was highly sought after as a bride. When Matilda was
between 15 and 18, King Edward the Confessor of England sent an "agent" to Flanders named Brihtric Mau, a rich Anglo-Saxon landowner. Apparently Matilda
fell in love with Brihtric and without telling her parents, sent him a message asking him to marry her. He rejected her proposal. Matilda was furious. She had
risked her reputation and lost. This could have been jeopardized herfuture.
But Matilda came to the attention of the rich and powerful William, Duke of Normandy. There is a legend that says when Matilda was asked if she
would marry the Duke of Normandy, she declined saying she was too high born, and was not worthy of her hand in marriage. The legend also says when William heard of her refusal, he rode to Flanders, beat Matilda and left. After this she agreed to marry him.
Matilda and William were married in 1053, despite a papal ban on their marriage due to consanguinity (being closely related). William was just a few
years older than Matilda. It is said that William was entirely faithful to Matilda for the duration of their marriage, which would have been highly unusual
for the time. William and Matilda had at least 10 children.
William and Matilda fought the papal ban on their marriage for almost a decade. When the ban was finally lifted in 1062. William spent the years from their marriage to 1066 C.E consolidating his power in Normandy. When King Edward the Confessor of England died in 1066C.E, William was ready to claim the throne of England by invading and attacking King Harold, Edward’s successor.
Matilda gave William a ship called the “Mora” in which he sailed to England. William named Matilda as ruler of Normandy while he was gone, ruling in
the name of her eldest son Robert. He trusted her fully to keep the kingdom safe. He went on to defeat King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and was crowned
King of England soon after. Matilda came to England in March of 1068C.E to be crowned Queen.
Matilda had great responsibilities as Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy from this time forward. She was greatly admired for her ability to plan
and stage events like Easter and Christmas celebrations. William was fond of having what he called “crown wearing “ events where he wore his crown in public
to show his strength as a ruler. Matilda also helped rule Normandy when William was in England.
William was faithful to Matilda for the next four years of his life. Despite the turbulence of their relationship, it was a long, successful marriage. Matilda had enhanced William’s reputation and was sorely missed when she was gone. Two of her sons became King of England, William Rufus II and Henry I.