legitimate means to be born of parents legally married to each other

an heir is a person legally entitled to the property or rank of another person upon that person’s death

a baron is a great lord or landholder in a kingdom

a succession crisis is a situation in which there is no clear heir to a position

Matilda and the succession crisis

History

Pupils will develop an understanding of civil wars which will be revisited through their later studies of the Wars of the Roses (Y7), The English Civil War and The Glorious Revolution (Y8). Pupils may also revisit their knowledge of the historic political experience of women, when they come to study the campaign for women's suffrage (Y9).

Pupils will have an understanding from their previous study of the Norman Conquest, of medieval kingship and the significance of a succession crisis, on the stability of the crown.

Medieval women: what can we learn from Matilda about women in medieval England?

Discriminatory behaviour or images, whether on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religion or belief or sexual orientation, or otherwise.

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Subjects which particular individuals may be sensitive to, eg, adoption, migration, bereavement or death, divorce.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

He had been exiled by his father, Henry I.

Why had William Adelin travelled to Normandy in 1120?

The ship which sank, killing William Adelin and many others, was called the {{ }} Ship.

Who did Henry I choose as his heir after William Adelin's death?

Henry's choice of heir was controversial because Matilda's husband was a...

He had imprisoned members of the Plantagenet family.

He had confiscated some of Matilda's lands.

He had failed to hand over castles to Matilda that he had promised to her.

They wanted to take the throne of England by force.

Why did Matilda and her husband join a rebellion against Henry I?

When Henry I died, {{ }} of Blois had himself crowned king of England and Normandy.

At the age of __________ , Matilda was betrothed to the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry V.

The people of __________ referred to Matilda as 'the good Matilda'.

When some of Henry V's subjects rebelled, Matilda stayed in __________ to manage his land there.

When Matilda returned to her father in England she {{}} her lands in the Holy Roman Empire.

His only legitimate son, Matilda's brother, had died.

His only legitimate son, Matilda's brother, was weak.

Matilda had shown that she could rule capably.

The Holy Roman Emperor had convinced him it was a good idea.

Why did Henry I want Matilda to succeed him as the next monarch of England?

Content guidance

Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Adult supervision recommended

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Matilda and the succession crisis

Lesson outcome

Content guidance

This lesson will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.