General Notes

[1700591.ged]
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 Henry as Stephen's heir.
Burke says she was betrothed in her eighth year (1119) to Henry.
"the Empress"
Maud, 1102-67, 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.