Starter quiz
- What keyword describes an absence of government in society; political or social disorder?
- 'anarchy' ✓
- Match the keyword to the correct definition.
- usurper⇔somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so ✓
- civil war⇔a war between citizens of the same country ✓
- succession crisis⇔a situation in which there is no clear heir to a position ✓
- empress⇔the wife of an emperor, the ruler of an empire ✓
- How long did the civil war between Stephen and Matilda last?
- 15 monts
- 50 years
- 5 years
- 15 years ✓
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- What can historians learn about the role of elite women in the Middle Ages from Matilda's campaign?
- They were able to own property when unmarried. ✓
- They were able to command their own army. ✓
- They were not able to rule by themselves.
- They were able to gain support from powerful figures. ✓
- They were not able to command an army.
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- How was Matilda able to cross the channel to England in 1139?
- with the support of her cousin, Stephen of Blois
- with the support of her half-brother, Robert of Gloucester ✓
- with the support of her husband, Count Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou
- with the support of the pope
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- How was Stephen quickly able to gain a support for his claim to the throne at the beginning of his rule?
- convinced Matilda that he deserved the throne over her
- bought the Church with promises of greater independence and the return of land ✓
- bought the Anglo-Norman barons with promises of land and titles ✓
- had the support of Matilda’s uncle, King David I of Scotland, from the start
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Exit quiz
- What keyword describes if somewhere is surrounded by people trying to capture it with no goods or people being allowed in or out?
- 'besieged' ✓
- Where did Matilda defeat Stephen in 1141?
- at the Battle of York
- at the Battle of Lincoln ✓
- at the Battle of Hastings
- at the Siege of Oxford
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- Where was Matilda defeated by Stephen in 1142?
- at the Siege of Oxford ✓
- at the Battle of York
- at the Battle of Lincoln
- at the Battle of Hastings
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- Who was King Stephen married to?
- 'Queen Matilda of Boulogne' ✓
- Why did Matilda's ruling style alienate some people from supporting her?
- Her manner was consistent with women of the time.
- Her manner was not consistent with monarchs at the time.
- Her manner was consistent with monarchs of her time.
- Her manner was not consistent with women of the time. ✓
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- Why was Matilda restricted to directing operations from her base in Gloucester?
- As a woman, Matilda was prevented from leading an army herself. ✓
- As a man, Matilda was prevented from leading an army herself.
- As a woman, Matilda was able to lead an army herself.
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Matilda established her court in Gloucester.
- Matilda defeated Stephen at the Battle of Lincoln.
- The citizens of London forced Matilda and her followers to flee London.
- Matilda was defeated by Stephen at the Siege of Oxford.
- Matilda's actions during the Anarchy gives historians an insight into medieval women.
Common misconception
Once a king dies or is taken prisoner, that is the end of the war.
Although a king is very important, there are many examples throughout history of a king's followers continuing to fight on successfully after their leader has been killed or captured.
Keywords
Civil war - a civil war is a war between citizens of the same country
Besieged - if somewhere is besieged it is surrounded by people trying to capture it: no goods or people are allowed in or out
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