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The Queenship of Mathilda of Flanders, c. 1031-1083
Embodying Conquest
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Laura L Gathagan
Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2025
About this book
The first full-scale scholarly treatment of Mathilda of Flanders (d. 1083), duchess of Normandy and post-Conquest queen of England.
In Norman England, Mathilda's unique practice of queenship was robustly public. It was characterized by an unapologetic embrace of both new and traditional institutions: military lordship, royal justice, monastic foundation and ecclesiastical reform, documentary initiatives and cultural networks. Although she may appear only glancingly in the chronicle "story sources" of her day, she is everywhere else: governing in documents and charters, articulating her identity in architecture, expressing her authority through innovative custom-made liturgies, handing down juridical sentences and participating in the most fundamental theological issues of her day. However, unlike her husband William "the Conqueror", her impact and influence have not ensured her a place of centrality in modern memory. This book redresses that imbalance. Moving away from the traditional chronological approach to a woman's life, its thematic chapters use the metaphor of Mathilda's body to center her actions, creations and speech, showing how Mathilda embodied power in a world often construed as primarily masculine. It thus brings back into focus the policies she championed, the strategies she pursued and the shape of her authority.
In Norman England, Mathilda's unique practice of queenship was robustly public. It was characterized by an unapologetic embrace of both new and traditional institutions: military lordship, royal justice, monastic foundation and ecclesiastical reform, documentary initiatives and cultural networks. Although she may appear only glancingly in the chronicle "story sources" of her day, she is everywhere else: governing in documents and charters, articulating her identity in architecture, expressing her authority through innovative custom-made liturgies, handing down juridical sentences and participating in the most fundamental theological issues of her day. However, unlike her husband William "the Conqueror", her impact and influence have not ensured her a place of centrality in modern memory. This book redresses that imbalance. Moving away from the traditional chronological approach to a woman's life, its thematic chapters use the metaphor of Mathilda's body to center her actions, creations and speech, showing how Mathilda embodied power in a world often construed as primarily masculine. It thus brings back into focus the policies she championed, the strategies she pursued and the shape of her authority.
Author / Editor information
Contributor: Laura L Gathagan
LAURA L. GATHAGAN is an Associate Professor of History at the State University of New York, College at Cortland. She has published widely on medieval women's power. She is a Fellow of Antiquaries of London and a member of the Royal Society of Arts.
Topics
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Frontmatter
i -
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CONTENTS
vii -
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List of Illustrations
viii -
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Acknowledgements
ix -
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Chronology
xi -
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List of Abbreviations
xiv -
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INTRODUCTION
1 -
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1 BLOOD
11 -
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2 HANDS
35 -
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3 FINGERS
75 -
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4 HEAD
105 -
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5 WOMB
145 -
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6 FLESH
171 -
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7 MOUTH
185 -
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8 CORPSE
213 -
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SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
227 -
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INDEX
248 -
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GENDER IN THE MIDDLE AGES
258
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
March 11, 2025
eBook ISBN:
9781805435822
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook ISBN:
9781805435822
Keywords for this book
Mathilda of Flanders; Norman England; Queenship; Military Lordship; Royal Justice; Monastic Foundation; Ecclesiastical Reform; Documentary Initiatives; Cultural Networks; Architecture; Custom-made Liturgies; Theological Issues
Audience(s) for this book
For an expert adult audience, including professional development and academic research
