Starter quiz
- Match the keywords to the correct definitions.
- legitimate⇔to be born of parents legally married to each other ✓
- baron⇔a great lord or landholder in a kingdom ✓
- succession crisis⇔a situation in which there is no clear heir to a position ✓
- empire⇔a group of countries or provinces ruled from the centre by one person ✓
- What keyword describes a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another person upon that person’s death?
- 'Heir' ✓
- What happened to William Adelin in 1120?
- He died on the Black Ship.
- He died on the White Ship. ✓
- He married Matilda.
- He inherited the throne from Henry I.
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- Why did Henry I make Matilda his next in line to the throne?
- She had told Henry I that she had always wanted to rule England.
- She was his only surviving legitimate child. ✓
- She had experience ruling an empire. ✓
- Her brother had suggested her for the role before he died.
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- Why was the timing of Henry I's death unfortunate for Matilda?
- She was pregnant with her third child and could not travel far from Anjou. ✓
- She did not like spending time in England so did not want to leave Anjou.
- Her husband, Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou, would not let her travel to England.
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- Why was Stephen of Blois able to have himself crowned king of England and Normandy?
- The Church accepted him because his father was an important Churchman.
- He was was incredibly rich and well-liked by the Anglo-Norman barons. ✓
- He was able to quickly set sail for England, unlike Matilda. ✓
- He had the official support of Henry I.
- He he promised Londoners profitable trade agreements with his port of Boulogne. ✓
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Exit quiz
- What keyword describes somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so?
- 'usurper' ✓
- Complete the following sentence with the missing word: Matilda sought to secure the ______ backing for her claim.
- 'pope's' ✓
- Why was Stephen's position looking increasingly fragile by 1138?
- Matilda had convinced the people London to rebel against Stephen.
- The treasury had run dry and he had no money left. ✓
- The Church and barons felt that he had not given them the land that he promised. ✓
- Matilda's husband, Geoffrey Plantagenet, won a battle against Stephen.
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- Which castle did Stephen surprisingly allow Matilda to safely leave and journey to Bristol?
- Durham Castle
- Dover Castle
- Cardiff Castle
- Arundel Castle ✓
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- Where did Matilda set up her court in Robert's lands?
- Winchester
- Yorkshire
- Gloucester ✓
- London
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- What keyword describes a war between citizens of the same country?
- 'civil war' ✓
Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Matilda regarded Stephen as a usurper.
- Matilda sought to secure the pope's backing for her claim.
- Matilda raised an army in England to fight against Stephen.
- Matilda gained the support of some leading English barons.
- Historians can learn about the role of elite women in the Middle Ages from Matilda's campaign.
Common misconception
Women in England were not allowed to fight in wars.
We have many examples of women leading the defence of castles throughout English history, and occasionally leading the attack on enemy territory as well. It was uncommon, but not unheard of.
Keywords
Usurper - a usurper is somebody who takes something by force without the right to do so
Anarchy - anarchy is an absence of government in society; political or social disorder
Civil war - a civil war is a war between citizens of the same country
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