Matilda of England

Matilda of England, born in June 1156, was the eldest daughter of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Named after her grandmother Empress Matilda, she was baptized by Theobald of Bec, Archbishop of Canterbury. In 1168, she married Henry the Lion, becoming Duchess consort of Saxony and Bavaria, and held this title until her husband’s deposition in 1180. During her marriage, she managed her husband’s estates and became mother to several children, including Otto IV, Holy Roman Emperor.

Matilda’s life was significantly impacted by the political dynamics of the time, including her husband’s conflict with Emperor Frederick I, which led to his exile. Matilda chose to accompany Henry the Lion into exile rather than stay in the lands provided by the Emperor. She died in Brunswick in the summer of 1189 and was buried in Brunswick Cathedral. Her life and actions contributed to the political landscape of England and the Holy Roman Empire during the 12th century.