Monday means a Norman queen and this week, it's the last consort of the royal dynasty that changed England forever. Meet Matilda of Boulogne.
The final Norman consort, Matilda put up a brave fight to hold on to the throne occupied by her husband, Stephen, but claimed by Matilda, daughter of Henry I.
Matilda was born around 1105 in Boulogne, the daughter of Eustace III, Count of Boulogne and Mary, another daughter of King Malcolm III and Queen Margaret of Scotland. Matilda was a niece of the second Norman Queen of England, Edith (later Matilda) Dunkeld.
Matilda became consort on December 22nd 1135 when her husband, Stephen, was proclaimed King of England. She would become his strongest supporter as the Civil War which swirled around the throne took hold.
Matilda died of a fever at Hedingham Castle in Essex on May 3rd 1152 and was buried at Faversham Abbey. Her death devastated her husband and left him without one of his most trusted and capable political advisers. The following year he agreed a peace with Henry, his rival for the throne which cut his children with Matilda out of the succession. Her death, in some ways, proved to be the beginning of the end for the House of Norman.
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