Hello listeners and welcome back to another episode on the Historic Royal Palaces podcast.

I'm Charles Varys, curator at the Tower of London.

And today, we're diving into the turbulent 12th century, to a time in England often called

the Anarchy, when Empress Matilda's claim to the throne

clashed dramatically with King Stevens.

As usual, we won't be following the traditional narrative.

Instead, we'll be looking at the lives of the women involved, namely Empress Matilda herself

and her counterpart, Queen Matilda.

Together, they offer contrasting portraits of medieval queenship in the 1100s.

But what were the limits and possibilities of female power at this time?

And how did these women meet, or perhaps, disrupt disrupt these expectations.

Joining me today are two fantastic experts.

Professor Louise Wilkinson is Professor of medieval studies at the University of Lincoln.

Louise is an expert on this period and has been on the podcast before discussing the medieval queens of the Tower of London. Louise, it's really lovely to have

you back today. It's great to be back and I'm very much looking forward to our discussion.

I'm really looking forward to it too. Also joining us today is Professor Elizabeth Van Houts,

Emeritus Honorary Professor of Medieval European History at the University of Cambridge,

who has just written a biography called Empress Matilda,

Queen of the Romans, ruler of the English.

So an absolute expert on this subject today.

So, Lisbeth, it's really great to have you here as well.

Thank you very much, Charles, and I'm very much looking forward to discussing things with you and Louise.

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