Matilda's claim and campaign

History

Matilda's early life: Empress of Germany

Matilda and the succession crisis

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?

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

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Depiction of war, threats of war, death or the aftermath of war.

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

What keyword describes somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so?

Complete the following sentence with the missing word: Matilda sought to secure the {{}} backing for her claim.

Matilda had convinced the people London to rebel against Stephen.

The treasury had run dry and he had no money left.

The Church and barons felt that he had not given them the land that he promised.

Matilda's husband, Geoffrey Plantagenet, won a battle against Stephen.

Why was Stephen's position looking increasingly fragile by 1138?

Which castle did Stephen surprisingly allow Matilda to safely leave and journey to Bristol?

Where did Matilda set up her court in Robert's lands?

What keyword describes a war between citizens of the same country?

to be born of parents legally married to each other

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

a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by one person 

Match the keywords to the correct definitions.

What keyword describes a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another person upon that person’s death?

She had told Henry I that she had always wanted to rule England.

She was his only surviving legitimate child.

Her brother had suggested her for the role before he died.

Why did Henry I make Matilda his next in line to the throne?

She was pregnant with her third child and could not travel far from Anjou.

She did not like spending time in England so did not want to leave Anjou.

Her husband, Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou, would not let her travel to England.

Why was the timing of Henry I's death unfortunate for Matilda?

The Church accepted him because his father was an important Churchman.

He was was incredibly rich and well-liked by the Anglo-Norman barons.

He was able to quickly set sail for England, unlike Matilda.

He he promised Londoners profitable trade agreements with his port of Boulogne.

Why was Stephen of Blois able to have himself crowned king of England and Normandy?

Matilda's claim and campaign

Lesson outcome

Content guidance