Matilda of Anjou
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Matilda of Anjou, also known as Isabella d'Anjou and Alice, (c.1101-07 – 1154) was married in 1119 to William Adelin, son and heir of Henry I of England. She was the daughter of Count Fulk V of Anjou, and his first wife Ermengarde of Maine (d. 1126).
Their betrothal occurred when she was quite young. William and Matilda set out on a trip from Anjou to England on 25 November 1120.
A considerable party of hundreds of nobles, courtiers, other retinue, and ship's crew set sail on two or more ships, one of which was named the White Ship. On the crossing of the English Channel the White Ship was wrecked with the loss of all aboard save one. The disaster affected an entire generation of English and French politics as it threw the succession of the English throne into question.
While William had sailed on the White Ship, Matilda had not and survived her husband. She did not remarry and took vows at Fontevrault Abbey eventually becoming Abbess.
[edit] References
- C. Warren Hollister (2001), Henry I
