a civil war is a war between citizens of the same country

if somewhere is besieged it is surrounded by people trying to capture it: no goods or people are allowed in or out

Matilda's battles

History

Matilda's early life: Empress of Germany

Matilda and the succession crisis

Matilda's claim and campaign

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?

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

Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

What keyword describes if somewhere is surrounded by people trying to capture it with no goods or people being allowed in or out?

Where did Matilda defeat Stephen in 1141?

Where was Matilda defeated by Stephen in 1142?

Her manner was consistent with women of the time.

Her manner was not consistent with monarchs at the time.

Her manner was consistent with monarchs of her time.

Her manner was not consistent with women of the time.

Why did Matilda's ruling style alienate some people from supporting her?

As a woman, Matilda was prevented from leading an army herself.

As a man, Matilda was prevented from leading an army herself.

As a woman, Matilda was able to lead an army herself.

Why was Matilda restricted to directing operations from her base in Gloucester?

What keyword describes an absence of government in society; political or social disorder?

somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so

a war between citizens of the same country

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

the wife of an emperor, the ruler of an empire

Match the keyword to the correct definition.

How long did the civil war between Stephen and Matilda last?

They were able to own property when unmarried.

They were able to command their own army.

They were not able to rule by themselves.

They were able to gain support from powerful figures.

What can historians learn about the role of elite women in the Middle Ages from Matilda's campaign?

with the support of her cousin, Stephen of Blois

with the support of her half-brother, Robert of Gloucester

with the support of her husband, Count Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou

How was Matilda able to cross the channel to England in 1139?

convinced Matilda that he deserved the throne over her

bought the Church with promises of greater independence and the return of land

bought the Anglo-Norman barons with promises of land and titles

had the support of Matilda’s uncle, King David I of Scotland, from the start

How was Stephen quickly able to gain a support for his claim to the throne at the beginning of his rule?

Matilda's battles

Lesson outcome

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