#Queen Matilda

[historyreimagined24]

 Robert Curthose: The Valiant Duke and Dynastic Struggles of Medieval Normandy and England!

Robert Curthose (1051-1134) was a Norman duke, son of William the Conqueror. Despite his valiant role in battles like Tinchebray, he lacked political finesse, losing the English throne to his brother, Henry I. Exiled for his rebellion, robert curthose history spent his later years imprisoned. His life reflects both the martial prowess and dynastic struggles of medieval Normandy and England.

[maypoleman1]

17th September

Pig’s Face Feast

Source: Charlotte Bellamy Photography

On the Sunday after 14th September (today in 2023), the Pig’s Face Feast is held at Avening, near Stroud, in Gloucestershire. It was first held in 1080 as an act of contrition by Queen Matilda, wife of William I who, before the Norman Conquest, when she was merely Lady Matilda, developed a passion for Byrhtric, Lord of Gloucester. The married Byrhtric rebuffed her advances and the infuriated Matilda, once she became Queen of England, dispossessed the unfortunate man of his lands and had him flung into a dungeon where he soon died. Filled with guilt and remorse, Matilda later endowed the church at Avening and decreed a boar’s head feast should be held there every mid-September in honour of Byrhtric and to demonstrate the queen’s repentance. The feast so caught the imagination of the locals that they kept it going for centuries after Matilda’s death. It is re-enacted every other year with a mock eleventh century pig’s head banquet, medieval music and Pig’s Head sandwiches, served in the local pubs. I’m sure the deceased Byrhtric appreciated the gesture.

[dontdenymeshakespeare]

The Amazing Readathon Week Two

The Amazing Readathon is a readathon created by Brianna from Four Paws and a Book and co-hosted by many others in the BookTube and Bookstagram community. This one is based on the reality TV show The Amazing Race and it’s about spending the month of August travelling the world. There are prompts and ways you can get bonus points (team colour, BIPOC author, etc.). It turns out that we’re not…

[peacockstalemusicalstorytelling]

(Peacock's Tale folk indie duo)

[you-belong-among-wildflowers]

House of the Dragon’s Historical Inspiration

╰─▸ The Anarchy (1138 - 1153) was a civil war that broke out in England when Stephen of Blois seized the throne after his uncle Henry I’s death. Henry I’s heir apparent, his daughter Empress Matilda, traveled to England and waged war against her cousin with the help of her uncle, King David of Scotland. Though Matilda’s army captured Stephen, she was never officially crowned and the war entered a stalemate. Stephen was released on the agreement that after his reign, Matilda’s sons and not his own would gain the throne, thus ending the feud.

[wonder-worker]

A central element of the myth of [Eleanor of Aquitaine] is that of her exceptionalism. Historians and Eleanor biographers have tended to take literally Richard of Devizes’s conventional panegyric of her as ‘an incomparable woman’ [and] a woman out of her time. […] Amazement at Eleanor’s power and independence is born from a presentism that assumes generally that the Middle Ages were a backward age, and specifically that medieval women were all downtrodden and marginalized. Eleanor’s career can, from such a perspective, only be explained by assuming that she was an exception who rose by sheer force of personality above the restrictions placed upon twelfth-century women.

-Michael R. Evans, Inventing Eleanor: The Medieval and Post-Medieval Image of Eleanor of Aquitaine

"...The idea of Eleanor’s exceptionalism rests on an assumption that women of her age were powerless. On the contrary, in Western Europe before the twelfth century there were ‘no really effective barriers to the capacity of women to exercise power; they appear as military leaders, judges, castellans, controllers of property’. […] In an important article published in 1992, Jane Martindale sought to locate Eleanor in context, stripping away much of the conjecture that had grown up around her, and returning to primary sources, including her charters. Martindale also demonstrated how Eleanor was not out of the ordinary for a twelfth-century queen either in the extent of her power or in the criticisms levelled against her.

If we look at Eleanor’s predecessors as Anglo-Norman queens of England, we find many examples of women wielding political power. Matilda of Flanders (wife of William the Conqueror) acted as regent in Normandy during his frequent absences in England following the Conquest, and [the first wife of Henry I, Matilda of Scotland, played some role in governing England during her husband's absences], while during the civil war of Stephen’s reign Matilda of Boulogne led the fight for a time on behalf of her royal husband, who had been captured by the forces of the empress. And if we wish to seek a rebel woman, we need look no further than Juliana, illegitimate daughter of Henry I, who attempted to assassinate him with a crossbow, or Adèle of Champagne, the third wife of Louis VII, who ‘[a]t the moment when Henry II held Eleanor of Aquitaine in jail for her revolt … led a revolt with her brothers against her son, Philip II'.

Eleanor is, therefore, less the exception than the rule – albeit an extreme example of that rule. This can be illustrated by comparing her with a twelfth century woman who has attracted less literary and historical attention. Adela of Blois died in 1137, the year of Eleanor’s marriage to Louis VII. […] The chronicle and charter evidence reveals Adela to have ‘legitimately exercised the powers of comital lordship’ in the domains of Blois-Champagne, both in consort with her husband and alone during his absence on crusade and after his death. […] There was, however, nothing atypical about the nature of Adela’s power. In the words of her biographer Kimberley LoPrete, ‘while the extent of Adela’s powers and the political impact of her actions were exceptional for a woman of her day (and indeed for most men), the sources of her powers and the activities she engaged in were not fundamentally different from those of other women of lordly rank’. These words could equally apply to Eleanor; the extent of her power, as heiress to the richest lordship in France, wife of two kings and mother of two or three more, was remarkable, but the nature of her power was not exceptional. Other noble or royal women governed, arranged marriages and alliances, and were patrons of the church. Eleanor represents one end of a continuum, not an isolated outlier."

[angevinyaoiz]

Matilda, Eleanor, and Joanna - retrospring request for the Angevin daughters

[lunasglow]

Empress Matilda — Rhaenyra’s Historical Parallel

“We can think of Empress Matilda as the fierce nearly Norman queen, who battled her cousin Stephen and the sexism of medieval England for 19 long years, during a period described as ‘The Anarchy’. Basing her campaign in Oxford, Matilda battled, sieged, and even made an elaborate escape during her enduring efforts to claim the English throne.

Matilda would have been the first English Queen to rule in her own right, had she been crowned in 1141. She was the first woman to be named as heir to the English throne and she fought fiercely for her succession. As it happened, England wouldn’t see a queen for another 400 years.” — Museum of Oxford

[couldnt-think-of-a-funny-name]

I think that nice librarian lady should ALSO adopt Matilda. librarian and miss honey should get married

[andiatas]

Royal Reads: Apr-Jun 2024

Note: Some of the following links are affiliate links, which means I earn a commission on every purchase. This does not affect the price you pay.

George VI and Elizabeth: The Marriage That Shaped the Monarchy by Sally Bedell Smith (new paperback version published Apr. 11, 2024) // Heroines of the Tudor World by Sharon Bennett Connolly (Jun. 15, 2024)

Six Lives: The Stories of Henry VIII's Queens by Charlotte Bolland, Suzannah Lipscomb, Nicola Clarke, Brett Dolman, Alden Gregory, Benjamin Hebbert, Nicola Tallis, Valerie Schutte (Jun. 20, 2024) // Revenge: Meghan, Harry, and the War Between the Windsors by Tom Bower (new paperback version published Apr. 16, 2024) // The Private Life of James II by Justine Ruth Brown (May 30, 2024)

The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens by Nicola Clark (Apr. 25, 2024) // James VI, Britannic Prince: King of Scots and Elizabeth's Heir, 1566-1603 by Alexander Courtney (Jun. 3, 2024)

Wise Words from King Charles III by Karen Dolby (Apr. 25, 2024) // Hunting the Falcon: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the Marriage That Shook Europe by John Guy, Julia Fox (new paperback version published Jun. 6, 2024) // Herod the Great: Jewish King in a Roman World by Martin Goodman (May 14, 2024)

Rasputin's Killer and his Romanov Princess by Coryne Hall (Jun. 15, 2024) // Catherine de' Medici: The Life and Times of the Serpent Queen by Mary Hollingsworth (Jun. 6, 2024) // Power and Glory: Elizabeth II and the Rebirth of Royalty by Alexander Larman (new hardcover published Apr. 30, 2024)

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War: Cousins of Anarchy by Matthew Lewis (May 30, 2024) // Courting the Virgin Queen: Queen Elizabeth I And Her Suitors by Carol Ann Lloyd (Jun. 30, 2024) // Babur: The Chessboard King by Aabhas Maldahiyar (Jun. 27, 2024)

Lady Charlotte Guest: The Exceptional Life of a Female Industrialist by Victoria Owens (Jun. 30, 2024) // Thorns, Lust and Glory: The betrayal of Anne Boleyn by Estelle Paranque (May 2, 2024)

The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of Royal History at Hampton Court by Gareth Russell (new paperback version published May 9, 2024) // The Lost Queen: The Surprising Life of Catherine of Braganza, Britain’s Forgotten Monarch by Sophie Shorland (Jun. 6, 2024)

The Royal Palaces: Secrets and Scandals by Kate Williams, James Oses (Jun. 27, 2024) // The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr: What Really Happened to Henry VIII's Last Queen? by June Woolerton (Apr. 4, 2024) // Izabela the Valiant: The Story of an Indomitable Polish Princess by Adam Zamoyski (Jun. 20, 2024)

[historyreimagined24]

Robert Curthose: The Overlooked Duke of Normandy

Robert Curthose, also known as Robert II of Normandy, is a figure whose legacy often stands in the shadows of his more famous father, William the Conqueror, and his younger brothers, William II and Henry I of England. Born around 1051, Robert Curthose was the eldest son of William the Conqueror and Matilda of Flanders. Despite his noble birth and the significant role he played in the turbulent history of Normandy and England, Robert's story is one of ambition, rivalry, and ultimately, a fall from grace.

Early Life and Ambitions

From an early age, Robert displayed the courage and leadership expected of a future ruler. He earned the nickname "Curthose" due to his short stature, with "Curthose" literally meaning "short stockings." However, Robert’s ambitions were anything but short. He was eager to prove himself and sought to assert his independence, often clashing with his father over his desire for power and control.

Conflict with His Father and Brothers

The relationship between Robert and his father, William the Conqueror, was fraught with tension. In 1077, Robert led a rebellion against his father, demanding control over Normandy. The rebellion was unsuccessful, but it marked the beginning of a long-standing feud within the family. Things only got worse after William's death in 1087. Robert was granted the Duchy of Normandy, while his younger brother, William Rufus, inherited the English crown. This division of power sowed seeds of discord between the brothers, leading to several conflicts over control of both England and Normandy.

The Battle for Power

Robert’s rivalry with his brothers was marked by a series of power struggles. He tried to depose William II of England in 1088, but his uprising was put down. Despite these setbacks, Robert continued to harbor ambitions for the English throne. In 1100, when William II died in a hunting accident, Robert was in a prime position to claim the throne. However, his younger brother Henry I swiftly moved to seize the crown, leaving Robert with little opportunity to challenge him.

The First Crusade

One of Robert Curthose ’s most notable achievements was his participation in the First Crusade (1096–1099). He played a significant role in the Crusaders’ victory at the Siege of Antioch and later at the capture of Jerusalem. This military success briefly restored his reputation and won him admiration across Europe. However, it did little to secure his power back home.

Imprisonment and Legacy

Robert’s fortunes took a final downturn after his failed attempt to reclaim the English throne in 1106 at the Battle of Tinchebray, where he was defeated by his brother Henry I. Captured and imprisoned, Robert spent the remaining 28 years of his life in captivity, dying in 1134.

Despite his fall from grace, Robert Curthose's life was marked by bravery, ambition, and an indomitable spirit. His story, though overshadowed by his more successful relatives, remains a compelling chapter in the history of Normandy and England.

[heatherfield]

@giftober 2023 | Day 30: goodbye

Headless: A Sleepy Hollow Story [x] + Once Upon a Time

[lady-corrine]

The way grrm combined so many themes of queenship, motherhood, tragedy, reputation, controversy and ambition from so many historical queens in creating Rhaenyra is honestly iconic 💅

[wexhappyxfew]

carrie achterberg, you are just so me! to the highest degree! eldest daughter and sibling who not only bottled up emotion but tried to forget about them! so stubborn, a nail wouldn't even dare budge! if someone's trying to help her she says she's got it, she's good, she can handle this herself! and if james douglass admits his feelings for her, she'll act like it is the farthest thing that there is from the truth! at all times!

[moonypears-blog]

Repitching this idea but

Twilight: Sofia

Celestia: Miranda

Cadance: Amber

Luna: Tilly

[wonder-worker]

"[Matilda of Boulogne's office as Queen of England], initiated and broadly defined by the coronation ordo, gave her royal power and authority to share in governance. Her obligations and activities were shaped by custom established by previous queens and the ad hoc needs of king and realm. [...] [Matilda's] thorough integration into the governance of the realm was not repeated in [Eleanor of Aquitaine’s] years as queen of England. Eleanor's coronation followed a new model that emphasized the queen as progenitor of royal heirs and subordinate to the king rather than as sharer of royal power. Though Eleanor acted as regent in England between 1156 and 1158 and in Poitou on several occasions from 1165 on, her writs suggest delegated rather than shared royal authority. In England, her power was limited by the lack of lands assigned to her use and by the elaboration of financial and judicial administration. Whereas [Matilda of Boulogne's] inheritance allowed her to play an integral role in politics by securing the Londoners' loyalty and a steady supply of mercenaries, Eleanor's inheritance provided her with more extensive power in Poitou and Aquitaine than in England. Until 1163, Eleanor withdrew funds from the Exchequer by her own writ, but unlike her Anglo-Norman predecessors, she was not a member of its council nor did she issue judgments from the royal court. Eleanor's counsel and diplomatic activities, in contrast to Matilda's, are rarely mentioned. She did, however, encourage the 1159 Toulouse campaign and supported Henry in the Becket affair and the coronation of young Henry. Eleanor was not a prominent curialis; she rarely witnessed Henry's charters or interceded to secure the king's mercy. She did follow in Matilda's footsteps in her promotion of her sons, cultivation of dynastic goals through the Fontevraudian tombs, and patronage that reflected her family's traditions. For Matilda, to be queen encompassed a variety of functions-curialis, diplomat, judge, intercessor, and "regent." Through a combination of factors, Eleanor's role as queen was much more restricted."

-Heather J. Tanner, "Queenship: Office, Custom or Ad Hoc", Eleanor of Aquitaine: Lord and Lady (Edited by Bonnie Wheeler and John Carmi Parsons)