Matilda's later life: supporting Henry II
I can explain how a study of Matilda's later life can lead to a greater understanding of the political role of medieval women.
Matilda's later life: supporting Henry II
I can explain how a study of Matilda's later life can lead to a greater understanding of the political role of medieval women.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Matilda’s son, Henry 'FitzEmpress', launched military campaigns in England after Matilda relocated to Normandy.
- Matilda and Stephen ended the Anarchy by agreement in the Treaty of Wallingford.
- Stephen agreed Matilda's son Henry would inherit the throne after his death, which led to a peaceful succession.
- Matilda retired to Normandy but continued to advise Henry II on matters of government.
- Matilda's later life can be studied by historians interested in the political role played by elite medieval women.
Keywords
Treaty - a treaty is a formal agreement between two countries
Common misconception
Barons must obey the their monarch's orders.
Although this is true in theory, in reality the barons and their monarch worked as a partnership: the monarch relied upon the barons and if they weren't doing a good enough job, they could expect to lose the support of their barons.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
a war between citizens of the same country
somewhere that it is being surrounded by people trying to capture it
somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so
an absence of government and order in society