Excellent story but had to speed narrator

Gives you an insight look at 12th century. the book did keep going forwards and backwards which took some paying attention to

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Great historical biography

Great historical biography, references sources regularly and refers to reliability of these. Clearly thoroughly researched and complied.

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2 people found this helpful

Excellent Academic Quality Research

This is a very detailed and academic level of historical biography.

Very thorough and well presented analysis.

In an era dominated by patriarchy, male privilege and power it is remarkable just how strong and courageous these medieval Royal women were.

Although Queen Regnants were prevalent in the old Anglo Saxon Kingdoms, England had not had a Queen Regnant since its formation as one nation and despite Matilda's efforts, it wouldn't see one until Mary I, some 400 years later than the Anarchy.

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2 people found this helpful

Not to be side-lined as a woman

well researched, very interesting , reads a bit like a thriller. loved it. worth reading.

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2 people found this helpful

Fascinating but flawed

One of British history's lesser known, but vitally important figures, Empress Mathilda is often consigned to a secondary character in the Kinds and Queens of England. This book goes a long way to redressing that and puts her front and centre of England's history as the daughter of Henry 1st and mother of Henry 2nd. This book places Steven in context: King of England by chance, but with no lasting legacy, yet Mathilda was never Queen of England, her legacy comes down to us today. The narration is imperfect, the narrators voice is harsh and not pleasant which does detract a little from the overall book, but the story itself is compelling enough to get over that. This book is unashamedly a history of a woman, by a woman, putting her in the context of her time, a Queen in all but name in a totally patriarchal society. If you are a student of early medieval English history this is a book for you.

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amazing story well told

really interesting story and a complex and interesting woman living through extremely challenging times. bring to life both the complexities of the story but also the issues and barriers and expectations relating to women in the 12th century. given the common view of the time was the only place a woman could rule was on the behalf of men applies to her and to some her antagonists and brings you light all the superb women who have been overlooked by history.

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5 people found this helpful

Fascinating woman

This book is interesting, detailed and it tells the story of a woman I did not know and now I’m happy to know a little bit more about

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Hysterical introduction!

Sorry, this is not history, but rather agenda driven feminist propaganda bringing a twenty first century anachronistic mindset to a medieval historical biography. When you listen to the words “because she was a woman” twice within the first five minutes, as if that somehow is the final word on her character, then you are literally shutting down any real debate as to the nature of her personality. Matilda was simply a strong minded, privileged, ruthless individual, who was no better or worse than her male peers and was a product of her times.

She should be judged by her deeds rather then her gender, anything else is bad history.

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15 people found this helpful