Maud, Countess of Huntingdon facts for kids

Maud, Countess of Huntingdon (born around 1074 – died 1130 or 1131), also known as Matilda, was a very important woman in medieval history. She became the Queen of Scotland because she was married to King David I. Maud was also the great-niece of William the Conqueror, who famously invaded England in 1066.

About Maud, Queen of Scotland

Maud was the daughter of Waltheof, who was an Anglo-Saxon earl. An earl was a powerful noble who ruled a large area of land. Her father was the Earl of Huntingdon and Northampton. Her mother was Judith of Lens, who was French.

Maud's father, Waltheof, was one of the last powerful Anglo-Saxon earls after the Norman conquest of England in 1066. This was when William the Conqueror took control of England. Maud's mother, Judith, was William the Conqueror's niece. This made Maud his great-niece.

Maud's First Marriage and Children

Around 1090, Maud married Simon de Senlis. He was also known as Simon of St Liz. Before this, William the Conqueror had actually tried to arrange for Maud's mother, Judith, to marry Simon.

Simon became the Earl of Huntingdon. This meant he controlled many lands across eastern England. He likely gained these lands because he married Maud.

Maud and Simon had three children:

• Matilda of St Liz (who died in 1140). She married Robert Fitz Richard, and later Saer De Quincy.
• Simon of St Liz (who died in 1153).
• Saint Waltheof of Melrose (born around 1100, died 1159 or 1160). He later became a saint.

Maud's Second Marriage and Royal Life

Maud's first husband, Simon, died sometime after 1111. A few years later, in 1113, Maud married again. Her second husband was David. He was the brother-in-law of Henry I of England, who was the King of England at the time.

This marriage was very important for David. Through Maud, he gained control of her large estates in England. He already had his own lands in Cumbria and Strathclyde.

Maud and David had four children together:

• Malcolm (born in 1113 or later, but died young).
• Henry (born around 1114, died in 1152).
• Claricia (who died without marrying).
• Hodierna (who also died young and without marrying).

In 1124, Maud's husband, David, became the King of Scots. This made Maud the Queen of Scotland. Later, her two sons from different fathers, Simon (from her first marriage) and Henry (from her second marriage), would both try to claim the Earldom of Huntingdon.

Maud died in 1130 or 1131. She was buried at Scone Abbey in Perthshire, Scotland.

Maud in Stories

Maud of Huntingdon has appeared as a character in several historical novels:

• She is in The Winter Mantle (2003) by Elizabeth Chadwick.
• She is also in Voice of the Fire (1995) by Alan Moore.
• And she appears in David the Prince (1980) by Nigel Tranter.