Medieval queens: Matilda of Flanders

Every once in a while, I get a little tired of talking endlessly about writing. How I'm thinking about writing...how writing is driving me crazy...how I can't finish a scene to save my life (or my heroine's!).

So instead of racking my brain and coming up with some lame post complaining about editing or lack of motivation, I thought I'd delve into the fascinating world of medieval Europe and dig up a queen or two. (Or four or five...there were plenty of them, y'know...)

Matilda of Flanders

Born to nobility (Baldwin V, Count of Flanders and Adela Capet), Matilda would one day go on to marry William the Conqueror and provide the man with eleven heirs--two of whom would go on to be kings themselves.

Rumor had it that Matilda was in love (or lust) with a Saxon named Brihtric who refused her publicly. Years later, this woman scorned used her position as queen of England to confiscate the poor sap's land and toss his arse in prison, where he eventually died.

When she caught William's eye, the story goes that he sent a representative to request her hand in marriage, which she flatly refused, feeling marrying a man of questionable parentage (read it: bastard) was beneath her.

Not to be scorned by any woman, especially not his future wife, William is said to have yanked her off her horse by her braids in a show of his disapproval. Baldwin wanted to wage war, but Matilda kept the peace by marrying the brute in 1053. (She is said to be England's smallest queen, topping the charts at a whopping 4'2".)

Throughout their marriage and continent-claiming adventures including the Battle of Hastings, they had eleven children, conquered Britain, and all the while, William is said to have remained faithful to her. The story goes that upon her death in 1083, William became a brute to his people. Many blamed it on losing his beloved Matilda.