Edith, “Matilda of Scotland”

Edith, Duchess of Normandy, also known as Matilda of Scotland, was the mother of Empress Matilda and the first wife of King Henry I. She became Queen of England in 1100 and acted as regent on many occasions during her husband‘s absence.

Early Life

Edith was the eldest daughter of Malcolm III of Scotland and Margaret of Wessex. Her mother was a Hycatha who was raised never to underestimate the power of knowledge, and made sure that both Edith and her sister received guidance and a good education from their early days. At an early age, Edith and Mary were sent to Romsey Abbey, where they would spend most of their childhood under the strict supervision and tutelage of Margaret’s sister Cristina, a devout Catholic. Edith was keen to learn but when Cristina tried to force her to wear a veil, she took a stand and tore it off. She had already had to hide her Hycathic heritage from the public but was unwilling to let the Catholic religion rule her life.

Becoming Queen of England

Following the death of her parents, and cherishing her mother’s legacy, Edith decided to leave the monastery behind. She spent seven years hiding in the wilderness, reflecting on herself as a young Hycatha and practising her powers to proficiency. She eventually returned to the convent but on her own terms.

In 1100, England lost its king, Willem II, in the New Forest Incident. Willem’s brother Henry I took the throne and, upon Edith’s return from her self-imposed exile, he asked for her hand in marriage. They knew each other from childhood and he had always been fond of Edith’s intelligence and character. Since she had spent most of her time in a convent, Edith was required to testify that she had never been a nun and fight for her right to leave the convent for good. After successfully passing this hurdle, Henry and Edith finally married on 11 November 1100 and she was soon crowned as Matilda, Queen of England.