Matilda of Chester, Countess of Huntingdon facts for kids

Matilda of Chester (born 1171, died 6 January 1233) was an important noblewoman from a long time ago. She was sometimes called Maud or Matilda de Kevelioc. Matilda was the daughter of Hugh de Kevelioc, 5th Earl of Chester. She became the wife of David of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon.

Matilda's Family Background

Matilda was born in 1171. She was the oldest child of Hugh de Kevelioc, who was the 5th Earl of Chester. Her mother was Bertrade de Montfort. Bertrade was a cousin of King Henry II of England.

Matilda had five younger brothers and sisters:

• Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester
• Richard (who died when he was young)
• Mabel of Chester, who became the Countess of Arundel
• Agnes (also called Alice) of Chester, Countess of Derby
• Hawise of Chester, Countess of Lincoln

She also had another sister named Amice (or Amicia) of Chester.

Matilda's father passed away in 1181 when she was ten years old. He had been involved in some of King Henry's battles in Ireland. His lands had been taken away earlier. This happened because he joined a group of nobles who rebelled against the King in 1173-1174. After his death, Matilda's brother Ranulf became the new Earl of Chester. Matilda became one of the people who would share in her family's wealth and lands.

Dervorguilla of Galloway, a granddaughter of Matilda of Chester

Marriage and Children

On August 26, 1190, Matilda married David of Scotland, 8th Earl of Huntingdon. David was a Scottish prince. He was the son of Henry of Scotland, 3rd Earl of Huntingdon. David was also the younger brother of two Scottish kings, Malcolm IV of Scotland and William I of Scotland. He was nearly 30 years older than Matilda.

Matilda and David had seven children together:

• Margaret of Huntingdon (born around 1194, died after 1233). She married Alan, Lord of Galloway. They had two daughters, including Dervorguilla of Galloway.
• Robert of Huntingdon (who died when he was young)
• Ada of Huntingdon. She married Sir Henry de Hastings. They had one son, Henry de Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings.
• Matilda (or Maud) of Huntingdon (died after 1219, she never married)
• Isobel of Huntingdon (born 1199, died 1251). She married Robert Bruce, 4th Lord of Annandale. They had two sons, including Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale.
• John of Scotland, Earl of Huntingdon (born 1207, died 1237). He married Elen ferch Llywelyn. John later became the Earl of Chester in 1232. This happened after his uncle Ranulf passed away. John did not have any children.
• Henry of Huntingdon (who died when he was young)

Matilda's husband, David, also had four children from other relationships.

Later Life and Legacy

Matilda's brother Ranulf died in October 1232. Matilda and her three other sisters shared in his lands. Matilda also inherited the title of Earl of Chester through her own right. Less than a month later, with the King's permission, Matilda gave the Earldom to her son, John the Scot. He became the Earl of Chester because of his mother. King Henry III officially made him Earl of Chester on November 21, 1232. John became the Earl of Chester in his own right when his mother died six weeks later.

Matilda passed away on January 6, 1233, when she was about 62 years old. Her husband, David, had died earlier in 1219.

Many years later, in 1290, a young queen named Margaret, Maid of Norway died. This meant there were no direct heirs left from King William I of Scotland. Because of this, the children of David and Matilda became important people who could claim the crown of Scotland. Two of these were John Balliol, who was chosen as king, and Robert de Brus. Robert de Brus was the grandfather of the famous Scottish king, Robert I.