Matilda of Scotland

Matilda of Scotland, initially named Edith, was Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy as the wife of King Henry I. She served as regent of England during Henry’s absences in 1104, 1107, 1108, and 1111. Born to King Malcolm III of Scotland and Margaret of Wessex, she was educated at a convent in southern England. After the deaths of her father and brother in the Battle of Alnwick and the ensuing Scottish succession crisis, she eventually married Henry I, with whom she had two children, Matilda and William Adelin. She was involved in government, acted as a mediator to the Church, led a literary court, and was remembered fondly after her death.

Matilda was born in Dunfermline, Scotland, and was educated in various subjects including languages and possibly geometry. She was sought after as a bride but faced a disrupted engagement due to political turmoil. After proving she was not a nun, she married Henry I and was crowned Queen of England, taking the regnal name Matilda. Her tenure as queen included acting as regent, mediating in the investiture controversy, and managing her dower estates. She was a patron of the arts and supported building projects for transportation and health. Attempts were made to canonize her, though they were not pursued.