Empress Matilda with Matilda of Boulogne

By Jone Johnson Lewis, About.com Guide

When the son of Henry I, Duke of Normandy and King of England and son of William the Conqueror, died, Henry named his only surviving child, Matilda, as his heir. Matilda was the widow of Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor, thus she was known as the Empress Matilda (Maud).

When Henry I died, his sister's son, Stephen of Blois, beat Matilda back to England and had himself crowned instead of Matilda. Stephen was married to a different Matilda, who was countess of Boulogne in her own right, called Matilda of Boulogne.

This picture is an artist's conception of a moment during the long war that ensued between the forces of the Empress Matilda and her cousin, Stephen of Blois, for control of the crown of England. The Empress had captured Stephen, then Matilda of Boulogne had raised forces against the Empress and captured her half-brother (an illegitimate son of Henry I), Robert of Gloucester, who was also the leader of the Empress' forces. Matilda of Boulogne then negotiated a trade: Stephen for Robert.

This picture depicts the plea of Matilda of Boulogne for the release of her husband, Stephen of Blois. When the Empress made that trade, the tide of the war turned against her, and she was never crowned queen.