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The many faces of Duchess Matilda: matronage, motherhood and mediation in
the twelfth century
Jasperse, T.G.
Publication date
2013
Link to publication
Citation for published version (APA):
Jasperse, T. G. (2013). The many faces of Duchess Matilda: matronage, motherhood and
mediation in the twelfth century. Boxpress.
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Preface 11
Introduction 15
1
The Rolandslied: Matilda’s literary matronage and
other responsibilities of noble women 33
1.1 The noble duchess, child of a mighty king: Matilda as
instigator 37
1.1.1 Matilda as a matron of literature 39
1.1.2 The writer revealing his name and working method 43
1.1.3 The intended courtly audience of the Rolandslied 46
1.1.4 The influence of the matron? An emphasis on female
characters 48
1.2 Women in the Rolandslied 49
1.2.1 Literary texts as sources: a social-historical approach 51
1.2.2 Limitations of the Rolandslied as historical source 53
1.3 More than a woman: consorts, widows and regents
in the Rolandslied 57
1.3.1 Roland’s fiancée Aude as loyal and devout 58
1.3.2 Ganelon’s wife, more than Charlemagne’s sister:
mother and regent 62
1.3.3 Ganelon’s wife: taking care of the hereafter 70
1.3.4 Queen Bramimonde: women as mediators and advisors 76
3.2.2 The act of giving makes virtuous donors 178
3.2.3 Matilda as one of the makers of the book 179
3.2.4 The Gospel Book’s audience 183
3.3 The donation of the Gospel Book: Matilda as devout
and wealthy donor 186
3.3.1 Dressed to impress: insignia and clothes as makers
and markers of identity 189
3.3.2 St Blaise and St Aegidius constructing Henry and
Matilda’s identity 191
3.3.3 Presenting the book to Mary and Christ 195
3.4 The coronation miniature: ducissa mathilda filia regis
anglici henrici 205
3.4.1 Matilda in the middle 207
3.4.2 The coronation of Henry and Matilda: a family affair 209
3.4.3 Constructed identities in the coronation miniature 213
3.5 The importance of marriage and lineage 214
3.5.1 The narrative miniatures in the Gospel Book 214
3.5.2 The Tree of Jesse 216
3.5.3 Sponsus and Sponsa 221
3.6 The importance of what is not depicted 223
3.7 Conclusion: the Gospel Book and the construction
of Matilda’s identity 227 Conclusion 233 Appendix 241 Abbreviations 251 Bibliography 255 Illustration credits 283
Samenvatting / Summary / Zusammenfassung 289
2
Matilda as consort: authority and motherhood 95
2.1 The iconography of Henry’s and Matilda’s bracteate 104
2.1.1 A visual analysis of the coin: the construction of an image 106
2.1.2 Married couples and the sceptre as a female attribute 116
2.1.3 All by themselves: women carrying a sceptre 125
2.1.4 Some concluding remarks on Henry and Matilda’s
bracteate 131
2.2 Matilda in action: ruling in the absence of her husband 133
2.2.1 The sins of a father as the impetus for a journey 134
2.2.2 Duchess Matilda in charge 138
2.2.3 Matilda and the consors regni idea and practice 143
2.3 Conclusion: the bracteate as a witness to Matilda’s co-rule 152
3
The verbal and visual construction of Matilda’s identity 157
3.1 Identity as a performative act 165
3.1.1 Women matter 168
3.2 The dedication poem: an insight into Matilda’s duties 173
