by Tracy Borman
First published 2012
Tracy Borman reconstructs the life of Matilda of Flanders, the four-foot-two noblewoman who became William the Conqueror's wife and England's first crowned queen. The book opens with their violent courtship in 1049, when William dragged Matilda to the ground and beat her after she rejected his marriage proposal and called him a bastard. Days later, she agreed to marry him, declaring he must possess great courage to assault her in her father's palace. Borman argues that while William's conquests are well documented, Matilda's influence has been overlooked despite her crucial role in Norman rule. Drawing from historical artifacts and documents, the author shows how this mother of nine children repeatedly seized power, directed policy, and sometimes openly defied her husband's commands. Matilda emerges as passionate and wise but also ruthless in pursuing her objectives. She was the only person who could control William, who remained faithful to her throughout their marriage. Borman offers readers a detailed portrait of an extraordinary woman who shaped the English monarchy during one of Europe's most transformative periods.
Genres: historical, historical-fiction, historical-romance, biography-memoir
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, strong-female-lead
Setting: England, Flanders
Period: 11th Century
336 pages · Kindle Edition · Bantam
Content warnings: violence