The First Queen Regnant of England: Mary I or Matilda?

When discussing the history of England, the first Queen Regnant is often credited to Mary I, who reigned from 1553 to 1558. However, the debate arises upon noting that Matilda, the daughter of Henry I, could also claim this title. This article delves into the intricacies of the crown's succession and the factors that led to Mary I's recognition as the first Queen Regnant.

Historical Context

The concept of a Queen Regnant in England is rooted in the medieval period, long before the reigns of Mary I and Matilda. Henry I had one surviving child, Matilda, who was the first to claim the throne as Queen Regnant, as opposed to a Queen Consort. However, her claim was overshadowed by political tensions and male influence.

The Contenders: Mary I and Matilda

Matilda (also known as Empress Matilda) was the daughter of Henry I and the only surviving child, leading to her natural claim to the throne. After Henry I’s death, Matilda was initially supported but ultimately deposed by her cousin, Stephen of Blois, who seized the throne in 1135. Matilda was never crowned as queen, contrary to the claim that she deserved the title of the first Queen Regnant.

Mary I, the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, was the first undisputed and officially crowned Queen Regnant of England. She reigned from 1553 to 1558 and definitively established herself as a female ruler in her own right. Mary I is renowned for her efforts to restore Roman Catholicism during the English Reformation, a move that earned her the nickname 'Bloody Mary' due to her persecutions.

Legal and Political Factors

The absence of a clear male heir in the Tudor line engendered the initial debate over the succession. Matilda's claim was weakened due to the prevailing male-dominated political climate and the influence of the male nobility, which did not support the idea of a female ruler. This1 factor, coupled with Stephen's successful but brief reign without formal coronation, meant that the crown passed to Henry II's son, Stephen, bypassing Matilda.

On the other hand, Mary I faced no such opposition. Unlike Matilda, who was deposed, Mary I was legally and officially crowned, securing her position as the first Queen Regnant with the full support of the legal and political systems of the time.

Conclusion

While Matilda was the first to claim the title of Queen Regnant, the recognition and indeed the factual reign as such came with Mary I. Her reign, despite brief and tumultuous, was officially marked by her coronation and the establishment of her rights as a female monarch in her right. This historical episode continues to be a subject of discussion and research, highlighting the complexities of gender roles and political power in medieval and early modern England.

References

Further reading on this topic can be found in:

'The Empress and the Aquitaine: The Biography of Matilda, Queen of England' by Alison Weir 'Bloody Mary: England's Catholic Queen' by KevinOVincent and Carol S. Taggart 'Mary Tudor: The First Queen Regnant' by Helen E. Panton