Matilda de Flandre

Matilda de Flandre was Queen of England and Duchess of Normandy through her marriage to William the Conqueror. During William’s absences from Normandy, she served as regent of the duchy. She was the mother of ten children said to have survived to adulthood, including the later kings William II and Henry I.

Matilda de Flandre is recorded with life dates of 24 November 1031 to 3 November 1083. The family-tree notes describe her as Matilda of Flanders, also known in French as Mathilde and in Dutch as Machteld; those notes give her birth only as about 1031 and her death as 2 November 1083.

By her marriage to William the Conqueror, Matilda was Duchess of Normandy and Queen of England. During William’s absences from the duchy, she acted as regent of Normandy.

Matilda and William were said to have had ten children who survived to adulthood. Their children included William II and Henry I, both of whom became kings.

Historical context

Matilda’s life connected Normandy and England through her marriage to William the Conqueror. Her role as regent of Normandy during William’s absences indicates that she took part in the government of the duchy.

Sources & research