The many faces of Duchess Matilda: matronage, motherhood and mediation in the twelfth century

In this thesis I argue that the varied visual and textual source material related to Duchess Matilda (*1156-✝1189) provides an insight into her duties and responsibilities at her husband's court. In order to address this question I have taken the visual evidence as my starting point. These sources are studied in combination with a variety of written sources. Together they are examined within the context of medieval ideas about women and their participation in this society. This will provide a better understanding of Matilda's actions. Additionally, the renewed study of the art works will also nuance some former interpretations concerning their dating and meaning. Within this study there are four important themes: 1. women in textual and visual sources; 2. authority and power; 3. women as makers of art; and 4. performativity. This study, the first dedicated completely to Matilda, demonstrates she held a variety of duties and responsibilities. Most of these can be considered typically female, such as motherhood. Yet this not to say that Matilda held no authority and was merely acting according to her husband's will. It is my contention that the visual and written sources reveal that Matilda was not marginalised, but that she acted as mother, matron and mediator. Demonstrating that women - together with men - were at the heart of society.