History Blog

It’s been forever since I’ve posted anything on here, but I’ve been so busy with school work and unmotivated recently. However in a week time I will be starting my history degree at university and would like to post on here once I find the inspiration. Thanks for sticking around

Parallels between House Lannister and those close to Henry II

Eleanor Tomlinson in ‘Death Comes to Pemberley’

Queen Eleanor: CAN SOMEONE PLEASE JUST GIVE THREE SHITS ABOUT AQUITAINE?!

The children of Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine 

Christian leaders of the First Crusade

Parallels between Eugene and Stephen of Blois 

Originally born Edith of Scotland, Matilda of Scotland was one of the first queens of England. Married to Henry I of England in 1100, she produced to children, William and Matilda. William the Aetheling became Duke of Normandy, and was next in line to be King of England - Matilda became Empress of the Holy Roman empire due to her marriage to Henry V. During the English investiture controversy of 1103 - 1107 she acted as an intercessor intercessor between her husband and archbishop Anselm, writing several letters during Anselm's absence, first asking him for advice and to return, but later increasingly to mediate. Matilda as renowned for her devotion to religion and the poor - founding two leprosy hospitals in her tenure as queen of England. Matilda had the first arched bridge in England built after taking a tumble on a ford on her way to Barking Abbey. 

The wife of Henry VII, Elizabeth was Queen consort of England from 1487 - 1503, she was the first Tudor Queen. Elizabeth of York is a key historical figure, linking together the Plantagenet, Tudor and Stuart dynasties of English rule. Elizabeth had a strong claim to the throne in her own right, and yet did not assume the position as Queen regent. Elizabeth married Henry Tudor, shortly after his coronation on the 18th of January 1486. 

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Melisende was the eldest daughter of King Baldwin II of Jerusalem, her father ensured that Melisende, her child Baldwin II and her husband Fulk of Anjou were crowned joint rulers of Jerusalem. Upon Baldwin II’s death in 1131, Melisende and Fulk became joint rulers of Jerusalem - however, the extent of Fulks royal authority far exceeded Melisende’s. Her husband ruled with little care for his wife's authority. Fulk accused Melisande in 1134 of having an affair with Count Hugh of Jaffa - Hugh was the most powerful baron in the kingdom and his loyalties lay with Melisende, Hugh also had a better claim to the throne than Fulk, as Hugh was the cousin of Melisande. The accusation against Melisande was largely dismissed - although it was enough to insight Hugh to ally himself with Ascalon and attempt to overthrow Fulk, resulting in Hugh being banished for three years. However, Melisande’s supporters overcame Fulk, and from 1135 onwards, Fulk’s influence was reduced, up until his death in 1143. In 1143, Melisende and her son Baldwin III were crowned co-rulers. By 1152, the now 24 year old Baldwin grew frustrated with his mother's grip on power, as by law, now he was the rightful ruler of Jerusalem, having reached his age of majority in 1145. Baldwin launched an invasion of his mother's realms - church mediation between Baldwin and Melisende, granted Melisende the city of Nablus and its adjacent lands. The mother and son reconciled by 1153, and Melisende continued to play a part in Jerusalem’s political affairs until her death in 1161.