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| Depiction in family tree (c. 1200s) |
Birth name: Eadgyð nic Máel Coluim
Born: 1080, Dunfermline, Fife, Kingdom of Scotland
Father: King Malcolm III of Scotland 'Canmore'
Mother: Saint Princess Margaret of Wessex
House: Dunkeld
Nationality: Scottish
Religion: Catholicism
Consort of: Henry I 'Beauclerc'
Reign: 11 November 1100 - 01 May 1118 (17 years)
Coronation: 11 November 1100
Predecessor: Matilda of Flanders
Successor: Adeliza of Louvain
Died: 01 May 1118 (aged 38), Westminster, Middlesex, Kingdom of England
Cause: *Unknown*
Burial: Westminster Abbey
Motto: N/A
Spouse(s):
- King Henry I of England 'Beauclerc' (m. 1100 - 1118)
Children:
- With King Henry I of England
- Matilda, Holy Roman Empress then Lady of the English (1102 - 1167)
- Prince William of Normandy 'Adelin' (1103 - 1120)
She was described as pretty, and never wore any make-up.
Character:
She was well known for enjoying more rustic styles, and was a patron of the arts, with a particular love for music. She also loved surrounding herself with poets.
Matilda was also admired for her piety and was described as 'being exempt from all evil influence.' She was generous to churches and hospitals. She would even help out with leprosy patients, washing their feet for them and providing them comfort through kisses which was believed to help heal them.
She could speak four languages, including Scottish Gaelic, English, French, and Latin.
Unlike many women at the time, Matilda showed an interest in financial management and geometry, and was educated in these subjects.
Biography:
Matilda was born as Edith in Fife in the Kingdom of Scotland some time in the year 1080. She was the sixth of eight children born to King Malcolm III of Scotland and his second wife, Princess Margaret of Wessex. She also had three older siblings from her father's first marriage. She was also a direct descendant of the Anglo-Saxon royal family of England through her mother.
When she was born, the current Queen of England, Matilda of Flanders, acted as godmother at her Christening, and during the ceremony, she pulled Matilda's headdress from her head, which was believed to be an omen that she would also one day be queen.
She grew up very close to her family and was predominantly raised by her mother in her earlier years, who was well known to be strict with her children. Her education was mainly focused around religion, and she spent most of her childhood at Romsey Abbey in the Kingdom of England under the care of her aunt. Matilda also received an excellent academic education that was unusual for a woman at the time.
Even while still a child, Matilda was greatly sought after as a bride, and she refused many proposals until her parents betrothed her to Alan Rufus, Lord of Richmond, in 1093.
However, tragedy would strike Matilda not long afterwards, as both her father and brother were killed in battle, and upon hearing the news, her mother died of shock. Matilda's uncle usurped the throne of Scotland to become King Donald III, and Matilda was left abandoned in England, while Lord Richmond called off their engagement. Both Matilda and her other siblings were forced to flee into the care of King William II of England. It is at the English royal court that Matilda likely met her future husband, Prince Henry, and it appears that Henry grew very fond of her during this time.
Upon the death of King William II in 1100, Prince Henry quickly seized the throne and became King Henry I of England. He became even more eager to marry Matilda, as due to her royal Anglo-Saxon bloodline, it finally united the houses of Wessex and Normandy, and further boosted Henry's (and their future children's) claim to the crown. A marriage between them would also create an alliance between England and Scotland.
However, the issue arose as to whether the marriage would be valid due to Matilda having been raised in a monastery, where her aunt had forced her to wear a nun's veil, and declared that Matilda was a nun. Matilda argued against this, and insisted that it had all been against her will, that she had never taken any holy vows, and that her father had never agreed to her becoming a nun. A council was called to reach a decision where Matilda testified in her own defence; the council would then rule in her favour.
King Henry I and Matilda were married later that same year, and Matilda became the Queen Consort of England. She officially changed her name to Matilda, likely to appear more Norman. Both she and her husband also quickly gained the nicknames of Godric and Godiva.
While queen, Matilda frequently travelled the country, and even acted as regent while her husband was away on military campaigns. Throughout their marriage, Matilda and Henry would go on to have two children together, and though the two of them were close as a couple, Henry would not remain loyal to her. He would go on to have many mistresses and father many illegitimate children.
Unfortunately, Matilda died rather suddenly of unknown causes in 1118.
Rule:
She successfully ruled as regent while her husband was away on military campaigns. She would also act as mediator between the King and those who had angered him, and even helped solve the English investiture controversy in 1107.
Her ownership of properties in London helped calm the citizens and appease them to King Henry I, as many of them were still staunch supporters of Anglo-Saxon rule.
Matilda also played a major role in architecture during her reign. She would build many Norman style buildings, build the first arched bridge in London, build lavatories and bathhouses with a fully functional water pipe system, and founded two different hospitals.
Matilda also took part in the marriage negotiations between her daughter, also named Matilda, and King Henry V of Germany.
She was a popular consort with the people of England, and was dedicated to helping those in need. She became so popular as a queen that she became known as 'Good Queen Maud'.
Trivia:
- Due to her piety and dedication to those in need, she was nearly canonised as a saint, but she never received enough of a following.
Quotes:
N/A
Sources & Further Reading:
Matilda of Scotland, queen of the English | Epistolae. (n.d.). Columbia University Libraries. https://epistolae.ctl.columbia.edu/woman/64.html
Matylda zena.jpg - Wikimedia Commons. (2010). Wikimedia.org. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Matylda_zena.jpg
pixeltocode.uk, P. (n.d.). Matilda (Maud) wife of Henry I. Westminster Abbey. https://www.westminster-abbey.org/abbey-commemorations/royals/matilda-maud-wife-of-henry-i
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