Matilda I, Countess of Boulogne facts for kids

Matilda (born around 1105, died May 3, 1152) was an important noblewoman in the 12th century. She was the Countess of Boulogne starting in 1125. She also became Queen of England when her husband, Stephen, became king in 1136.

Queen Matilda strongly supported Stephen during a difficult time. This period was called the Anarchy, a civil war for the English throne. Her main rival was her cousin, Empress Matilda. When her husband was captured, Queen Matilda took on a very active role. She showed great skill as a military leader. She even managed to get her husband released. Although her children did not inherit the English throne, they did rule Boulogne. Her three surviving children were Eustace IV, William I, and Marie I.

Matilda's Early Life and Family

Matilda was born in a place called Boulogne, which is in France. Her father was Count Eustace III of Boulogne. Her mother was Mary. Mary was the daughter of King Malcolm III of Scotland and Saint Margaret of Scotland. This means Matilda was related to the old kings of England through her grandmother.

Becoming Countess of Boulogne

In 1125, Matilda married Stephen of Blois. Stephen was a powerful count who owned a lot of land in England. In the same year, Matilda's father decided to leave his position and live in a monastery. This meant Matilda inherited his lands and titles.

After her father's death, Matilda and Stephen became the joint rulers of Boulogne. They had two children while King Henry I of England was still alive. The king had even given them a home in London. Their son was named Baldwin, after Matilda's uncle, King Baldwin I of Jerusalem. Their daughter was also named Matilda. Sadly, both Baldwin and the younger Matilda died when they were children.

Matilda's Time as Queen

When King Henry I of England died in 1135, Stephen quickly went to England. He used Boulogne's control of nearby seaports to get there fast. He was crowned king before his rival, the Empress Matilda. Queen Matilda was pregnant at this time. She crossed the English Channel after giving birth to her son, William. William would later become the count of Boulogne. Matilda was crowned queen on March 22, 1136.

Queen Matilda's Support for Religious Orders

Matilda was a strong supporter of the Knights Templar. This was a famous group of Christian knights. She helped start Cressing Temple in Essex in 1137. She also founded Temple Cowley in Oxford in 1139. Like the queen before her, Matilda of Scotland, she had a close connection with the Holy Trinity Priory in London. She chose the leader of the priory as her spiritual advisor. Two of her children were also buried there.

Matilda's Role in the Civil War

A civil war, known as the Anarchy, soon began in England. Queen Matilda was her husband's most loyal supporter during this time. When England was attacked in 1138, she gathered soldiers from Boulogne and its ally, Flanders. She successfully attacked Dover Castle. Then she traveled north to Durham. There, she made a peace agreement with David I of Scotland in 1139.

In 1141, Stephen was captured at the Battle of Lincoln. Queen Matilda then gathered the king's supporters. She raised an army with the help of William of Ypres. While the Empress Matilda was waiting in London to be crowned, Queen Matilda and Stephen's brother, Henry of Blois, forced her out of the city. The Empress Matilda then tried to trap Henry of Blois at Winchester. Queen Matilda led her army to attack the Empress's forces. There was a big fight, and the Empress's half-brother, Robert of Gloucester, was captured. The two Matildas then agreed to trade prisoners. This meant Stephen was released and became king again.

Matilda died from a fever at Hedingham Castle in Essex, England. She is buried at Faversham Abbey, a place she and her husband had founded.

Matilda's Children

Stephen and Matilda had three sons:

• Eustace IV, Count of Boulogne: He married Constance of France. They did not have any children.
• Baldwin of Boulogne: He died before 1135, when he was very young.
• William of Blois: He was Count of Mortain and Boulogne, and also the Earl of Surrey. He married Isabel de Warenne. They did not have any children.

They also had two daughters:

• Matilda of Boulogne: She married Waleran de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Worcester. They did not have any children.
• Marie I, Countess of Boulogne: She married Matthew of Alsace. They had children.

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See also

In Spanish: Matilde I de Boulogne para niños