Why read Matilda, Wife of the Conqueror, First Queen of England?

Book cover of Matilda, Wife of the Conqueror, First Queen of England

Book description

Read the thrilling, tempestuous story of the 'first' Queen of England.

Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror, was the first woman to be crowned Queen of England and formally recognised as such by her subjects. Beyond this, however, little is known of her. No contemporary images of her remain, and…

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European history

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Why read it?

1 author picked Matilda, Wife of the Conqueror, First Queen of England as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Elizabeth Norton

Author

While I take issue with the book’s subtitle (the Anglo-Saxons had queens!), this first full-length biography of Matilda, the wife of William I, is not to be missed. Matilda of Flanders, who served as regent of both Normandy and England was a hugely important figure in the later history of English queenship, providing a model by which the wives of her descendants attempted to live. Tracy Borman takes what little information survives on Matilda to weave a compelling and captivating narrative, fleshing out the life of a woman who has hitherto remained in the shadows.

From Elizabeth's list on The best books on England’s medieval queens.