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    Matilda the Queen
    Matilda the Queen
    Matilda the Queen
    Ebook125 pages58 minutes

    Matilda the Queen

    By Richard Rose

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    About this ebook

    Matilda (Maude), daughter of King Henry I of England, becomes his designated heir at the death of her brother at sea. At age 11 she is married to Heinrich V, king of Germany and the Holy Roman Emperor. Though he dies when she is in her twenties, she continues to use the title of Empress throughout her life. Her father then marries her off to Geoffrey Plantagenet, Count of Anjou, a boy 12 years her junior. When her father dies, she is pregnant in Normandy and unable to attend his funeral. Three weeks later her cousin Stephen, Count of Blois, like Matilda a grandchild of William the Conqueror, has himself crowned king by his bishop brother. This usurpation is despite his having pledged to support Matilda's inheritance. With help from her stepmother, she invades England and begins an eighteen-year civil war in England. Stephen controls the Welsh border and western England. Matilda controls the southeast. The war continues, both sides winning and losing battles. In one notable event, Matilda escapes capture at the siege of Dover Castle at night in midwinter, climbing down a rope made of tied sheets, and fleeing across an icy river, cloaked all in white. Matilda's attempt to have herself crowned at Westminster Cathedral fails when the Londoners revolt and lock the gates of the city against her. Eventually her 14-year old son, Henry Fitzempress, joins in the fight, with a six-year break. Matilda's illegitimate brother, Robert, Earl of Gloucester, leads her forces until he dies. Henry Fitzempress takes command. After 18 years of stalemate fighting, the nobility and the church force a truce and a meeting of Henry and Stephen. The two men agree to a treaty in which Stephen names Henry as his heir (his own son having died), and he is to continue to rule as king until his death. He dies a year later of natural causes, and Henry Fitzempress becomes King Henry II, with Eleanor of Aquitaine as his queen. After his coronation, Matilda leaves England for Normandy, never to return.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherRichard Rose
    Release dateMay 10, 2019
    ISBN9780463743706
    Matilda the Queen

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      Book preview

      Matilda the Queen - Richard Rose

      MATILDA, THE QUEEN

      Prologue

      Enter an elderly woman

      MATILDA: In my snowy years, I find the need

      To tell the story of my rise and fall.

      Empress was I, and also Queen

      Ere fifteen years had passed within what was

      Mine by right, and yet denied to me

      By treachery, deceit and ill-timed Fate.

      For in Fate’s hands, we mortals have no say,

      But yet must bow, accept, and weep, alone.

      Still time weighs heavily upon my head,

      And I must say what needs be said, and quick.

      So turn the glass of time, a gentle whirl,

      Back to when I was just a little girl.

      *****

      ACT I

      Scene 1

      An English royal castle chamber Enter KING HENRY I and QUEEN EDITH

      EDITH: Your Grace, my liege, and even husband, now.

      I know my place, and yet must disagree.

      I think the girl is much too young to be

      Betrothed at the tender year of seven.

      And if betrothed, let her abide a while

      Ere she be sent to that most distant land

      of Germany.

      HENRY: My dear, you are too new

      To Court to understand diplomacy.

      She must acclime to this new Court before

      She weds the king and emperor. I vow

      No wedding shall take place until her blood

      Flows womanly, as befits her years.

      Fifth Heinrich of that name, has promised me

      Not till her monthly courses cycle sets

      Will royal wedding be announced to all.

      But this alliance twixt our sovereign lands

      Suits our needs on both sides of the sea.

      The Holy Roman Emperor we need,

      Though he be king of only Germany.

      Our enemy is Rome, itself, that Pope

      Who would deny us Bishops we could name

      Within our realm. It is our right; we’ll not

      Give it up so willingly to him.

      Matilda will be bond to England’s wealth

      And arms if such becomes necessity.

      Your noble brother, David, Scotland’s king

      Approves of this and promises support.

      Therefore have I now summoned her to us

      To hear the news of her betrothal, now.

      And you, who of course, stands in mother’s place

      Must also stand with me in this accord.

      Though tears may flow from both your pairs of eyes.

      Womanly and motherly you’ll be,

      But in agreement, also will you be.

      Hark; here she skips to us in innocence.

      Enter young MATILDA

      MATILDA: My noble father, how I longed for you

      I have not seen you for so long a time

      I feared you had forgotten your Matilda.

      My brothers see you more than I in court.

      HENRY: Could I forget my ‘Tilda in my heart.

      I say you nay, for you are dear to me.

      But Court affairs do often interfere.

      Come sit on my lap and I will tell

      You of my plan for you and how I love

      Your very presence and your selfsame smile.

      MATILDA: Is it a secret that you wish to tell?

      Why plans for me I do not understand.

      I wander through the castle as I wish.

      No more than that could I dare ask of you.

      HENRY: A secret, yes, and known to very few.

      Lord Wakefield, royal chamberlain, and I,

      And also your dear uncle, King of Scots.

      So, too, your noble mother, that is all.

      Of course I speak of only those at court.

      Though some across the sea do also know.

      MATILDA: Such a secret do I fear to know.

      Why, noble father, do you hesitate?

      Plans you say, but nothing do you tell.

      HENRY: You are correct, I’ll quickly make my point.

      It is our wish that you are soon betrothed.

      MATILDA: I think I understand the word betrothed.

      But how does such a word apply to me?

      HENRY: I do believe you yet misunderstand.

      We mean not marriage at your tender age.

      To Germany you are to go. And when ‘tis time

      Another Henry is to be your lord.

      In Germany. Heinrich is his name.

      The Holy Roman Empire is his fief.

      MATILDA: My noble father, I’ll not go from you.

      Fair England is my home and I’ll not leave.

      A dove did land upon my window sill.

      A sign that I belong here where I am.

      I know the names of royal falcons all.

      Court jester Terence, is my dearest friend.

      And I’ll not leave you, noble mother mine.

      EDITH: I thank you, child, so listen now to me.

      The Emperor is a gentle man.

      And birds are there to rival all you know.

      The regal peacock, with its splendid tail,

      Which cannot prosper here in our cold clime,

      So hold your cold response. We mean you well.

      Empress shall you be, and Queen as well.

      So, tarry not, and heed your father’s will.

      Such actions are not for our sex to fight.

      We bow, as always, to our liege lord’s will.

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