The Empress Matilda: Queen Consort, Queen Mother and Lady of the English [Hardcover]

Marjorie Chibnall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 1991

This is a biography of the Empress Matilda. Granddaughter of William the Conqueror and of King Malcolm of the Scots, and daughter of Henry I, Matilda fought for the throne of England, arguably hers by right, for nine years, and was denied it largely because she was a woman. Contemporary chroniclers said of her that she was "always superior to feminine softness and with a mind steeled and unbroken in adversity". In valour and determination Matilda may be compared with Boudicca, or with Elizabeth I, yet most of the serious work on her action-packed life and historical importance lies in untranslated German studies of the last century. In this book Marjorie Chibnall examines her career as a whole, as King Henry's daughter, as the wife and consort of Emperor Henry V, as Countess of Anjou after the Emperor's death, and as regent for her son, Henry II. In the final chapter the author examines the various ways in which Matilda has been judged by historians through the ages, and offers an assessment of the character and achievements of the woman who was described in her epitaph as "great by birth, greater by marriage and greatest in her offspring". This biography, pieced together from archival sources all over Europe, should be of value and interest both to scholars and the general reader.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The first serious study of the career of the Empress Matilda ... Dr Chibnall's aim, ably achieved, has been to reconstruct the outline of Matilda's life, place her in the society and politics of the age, and form an assessment of her character." Times Literary Supplement

"A formidable book about a formidable woman ... based on an extremely thorough understanding of the sources and casts a broad beam of light on the twelfth century." Journal of Ecclesiastical History

"Very satisfying ... written with lucidity and force ... a very valuable addition to the corpus of core texts for any student of Norman and Angevin England." History

"The intention of this book, is to examine Matilda's role in Anglo-Norman history and, as a female heir to the throne, in the history of feudal society. Marjorie Chibnall not only achieves this aim but surpasses it. This is a full biography of a twelfth-century woman who was in the center of power throughout her life and who served in both traditional and nontraditional female roles. It furthers our understanding of the person and of the political history of the Anglo-Norman kingdom. It also is a beautifully written book, one accessible to both scholar and student." Speculum

"This is a biography that is both scholarly and readable." English Historical Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

Granddaughter of William the Conqueror and of King Malcolm of the Scots, and daughter of Henry I, Matilda fought for the throne of England, arguably hers by right, for nine years, and was denied it largely because she was a woman. Contemporary chroniclers said of her that she was "always superior to feminine softness and with a mind steeled and unbroken in adversity". Most of the serious work on her extraordinary, action-packed life and historical importance lies in untranslated German studies of the last century. In this book Marjorie Chibnall examines her career as a whole, as King Henry's daughter, as the wife and consort of Emperor Henry V, as Countess of Anjou after the emperor's death, and as regent for her son, Henry II. An outstanding biography, pieced together from archival sources all over Europe, it is of value and interest both to scholars and the general reader. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Blackwell Publishers (September 26, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631157379
• ISBN-13: 978-0631157373
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,739,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is superb -- political history at its best, September 28, 2001

By 

Lois Huneycutt (Columbia, MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Empress Matilda: Queen Consort, Queen Mother and Lady of the English (Paperback)

You can't find a better study on the topic, and the author is mistress of the sources like few other living historians. The only thing left to do is to look more at the gender issues raised by the whole issue, but this book is so good and thorough there is absolutely no use criticizing it for what it is not intended to be!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, May 18, 2000

By 

"kotinca" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Empress Matilda: Queen Consort, Queen Mother and Lady of the English (Paperback)

This is a great book about a wonderful woman, who got lost in the shuffel. As there isn't very much written about Matilda, the first almost English Queen in her own right, the author deserves applause for their ability to put together such a checkered past. The thrown was stolen out from under her by her cousin Stephen, and they began the civil war that English people discribed as the time when "Christ and his saints slept." Speaking of which, if you like this book, you'll love "When Christ and His Saints Slept" by Penman.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Empress Matilda, April 29, 2000

By 

Kathy Welder (California) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Empress Matilda: Queen Consort, Queen Mother and Lady of the English (Paperback)

I found this book fasinating. The beginning is a bit jumbled, hard to follow, but soon it launches the reader into the world of Empress Matilda. The author has done an excellent job of bringing the empress, her father and sons back to life for me espcially, she and son Henry are my ancestors. What better way to get to know them!