orchestraplaysomethingsad: Empress Matilda (c. 7 February 1102 – 10 September 1167
orchestraplaysomethingsad: Empress Matilda (c. 7 February 1102 – 10 September 1167) Was the leader of one of the factions in the English civil war known as the Anarchy. On Henry V’s death, Matilda was recalled to Normandy by her father, who arranged for her to marry Geoffrey of Anjou to form an alliance to protect his southern borders. Henry I had no further children and nominated Matilda as his heir, making his court swear an oath of loyalty to her and her successors, but the decision was not popular in the Anglo-Norman court. Henry died in 1135 but Matilda and Geoffrey faced opposition from the Norman barons and were unable to pursue their claims. The throne was instead taken by Matilda’s cousin Stephen of Blois. (x) -- source link
#empress matilda