Matilda is the wife of William the Conqueror, and is one of the least written about English queens. Matilda came from a lineage of strong and smart women, and proved herself both during her marriage. William has been long known for his winning of England in 1066, but Matilda ruled his duchy during his campaigns away, one of the few women to hold that sort of power. Her background made William a more acceptable choice of king for the English, and she proved a fertile mother, with nine children. She also was a determined mother, who went against her husband to protect her oldest son's rights, at the cost of her husband's trust.
I'm a fan of English historical fiction, reading almost everything there is about English royalty, but I've not read anything about Matilda or this time period. Tracy Borman did a superb job bringing Matilda to life, shining a light on a woefully under-examined female role model. Her book reminded me of Alison Weir's wonderfully crafted books, making Tracy Borman a must-read author for history fans. I look forward to seeing what historical figure she writes about next.
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