h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Exciting

It gets better, I'm working out how to word the whole battle for the throne bit, all the blood and gore.

Gooday Demon Drawer,

Nice piece on a little known figure in English medieval history, and I look forward to the continuation; but it sure could do with a spell-check. There is some evidence to support the notion that Matilda was born in 1101, and at Sutton Courtenay rather than Winchester. Although Maud was certainly Henry I's only surviving legitimate child, and Stephen had sworn to recognize her right to succeed her father to the throne, it is not necessarily the case that 'law' or 'custom and practice' of the time acknowledged the right of a woman to reign (viz Henry V's goings-on about the Salic law), and for some centuries descent through the female line was a dodgy if not wholly unsuccessful pedigree for aspirants to the crown to possess. I agree with your comment that no woman ruled in her own right until Mary Tudor, but some went very close, for instance Margaret of Anjou (wife of Henry VI), Isabella (wife of Edward II), and of course 'Lady' Jane Grey.

'Officially' a queen or otherwise, it was Matilda who created the third Aubrey de Vere as earl of Oxford (in 1141 or possibly 1142), a title subsequently confirmed by her son Henry II. This was the start of a long line of de Vere earls of Oxford, who feature quite prominently during the reign of the Plantagenets and indeed later royal houses (my interest in the de Veres, and by extension Matilda, can be discovered on my h2g2 page). I would love to keep swapping notes with you (if of course you would like to).

Take care,

Walter.

Take care

Thanks for that Walter I didn't know about the Vere Earls bit so will add that in and ask for you to be co-credited as researcher. I'll also check out my facts on the Queen debate, God know's I want to be ...

.....right.

Gooday Demon Drawer,

Glad to be of a little help. I really look forward to seeing it in the approved entries and hey, it is your work, not mine, so you take full credit for it. Take care,

Walter.

Walter I don't mind sharing the limelight that's the sort of researcher I am. I'll give you the part credit you deserve.

Gooday Demon Drawer,

That's what I was afraid of. Take care,

Walter.

Gooday again, Demon Drawer,

I'm still researching my de Vere earl of Oxford stuff and discoveredthought that that Matilda is recorded as having died at Castle Hedingham, which was the principal family seat of the de Veres. Thought you might be interested. Take care,

Walter.

Sounds like I'll be able to supply a link to you from this one then.

Gooday Demon Drawer,

Re my previous post here: does my interest in Castle Hedingham start to make sense? Great stuff you sent me, but I'll email you direct on that.

Walter.

I know it does Walter.

Good work DD - you know, I never thought I'd see you finish this...

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