legitimate means to be born of parents legally married to each other

an heir is a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another person upon that person’s death

a baron is a great lord or landholder in a kingdom

a succession crisis is a situation in which there is no clear heir to a position

Matilda and the succession crisis

History

Matilda's early life: Empress of Germany

Matilda's claim and campaign

Matilda's battles

Matilda's later life: supporting Henry II

The life of Matilda and medieval women

In this unit, pupils analysed how gender affected attitudes towards leaders and claimants for the throne in medieval England. In 'Elizabeth I: why has Elizabeth been represented so differently?' students will consider the different ways in which a 16th century female monarch was represented, including how gender continued to affect perceptions of women in power.

In 'The Norman Conquest: how do we know about the impact of the Conquest on England?', pupils studied the significance of a succession crisis. In this unit, pupils will deepen their understanding of contested successions by considering how gender affected attitudes towards leaders and claimants for the throne in medieval England.

In this unit, pupils analyse the historical significance of Empress Matilda's life. They use her life as a lens to consider the lives of noble women in medieval England.

Medieval women: what can we learn from Matilda about women in medieval England?

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce, poverty, deprivation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

He had been exiled by his father, Henry I.

Why had William Adelin travelled to Normandy in 1120?

The ship which sank, killing William Adelin and many others, was called the {{ }} Ship.

Who did Henry I choose as his heir after William Adelin's death?

Henry's choice of heir was controversial because Matilda's husband was a...

He had imprisoned members of the Plantagenet family.

He had confiscated some of Matilda's lands.

He had failed to hand over castles to Matilda that he had promised to her.

They wanted to take the throne of England by force.

Why did Matilda and her husband join a rebellion against Henry I?

When Henry I died, {{ }} of Blois had himself crowned king of England and Normandy.

At the age of __________ , Matilda was betrothed to the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry V.

The people of __________ referred to Matilda as 'the good Matilda'.

When some of Henry V's subjects rebelled, Matilda stayed in __________ to manage his land there.

When Matilda returned to her father in England she {{}} her lands in the Holy Roman Empire.

His only legitimate son, Matilda's brother, had died.

His only legitimate son, Matilda's brother, was weak.

Matilda had shown that she could rule capably.

The Holy Roman Emperor had convinced him it was a good idea.

Why did Henry I want Matilda to succeed him as the next monarch of England?

Matilda and the succession crisis

Lesson outcome

Content guidance