Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/586

572 detestation, is said, in conjunction with pope Urban II, to have seduced his son Conrad into rebellion against his father; and, accordingly, the young prince assumed the title of king of Italy; but he soon died. Modern History.

the death of Prince William, only son of Henry I, king of England, the latter had no legitimate issue, except his daughter Matilda, whom he had betrothed when a child to the emperor Henry V. who also dying without children, the king gave his daughter to Geoffry Plantagenet, eldest son of the count of Anjou, and endeavoured to secure her succession, by having her recognized heiress to all his dominions; and obliged the barons, both of Normandy and England, to swear fealty to her. After six years, A. D. 1133, she was delivered of a son, and the king, farther to ensure the succession, made all the nobility renew the oath of fealty, which they had already sworn to her, to her son.

Matilda was dear to the English, as being descended from their Saxon kings by Matilda of Scotland, her mother; and to the Anglo-Normans, as the grand-daughter of William the conqueror. Dear as this daughter was to Henry, he had hastened to sacrifice her in marriage to Geoffy, to whom she had personal repugnance, as her proud spirit could ill brook the change. The birth of her son was preceded by quarrels and reconciliation between her and Geoffry, who was of a cold and slow nature. She had quitted her husband and followed her father into England. Geoffry wished to make Henry purchase the liberty of his daughter: he demanded either her or Normandy; and Matilda was sent back to him. A year after Henry II. was born, and she had soon two others, Geoffry and William.

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