If Matilda Defeated King Stephen: The Potential Title for Geoffrey Plantagenet

Introduction

The Hypothetical Scenario of Matilda Defeating King Stephen and Ascending to the English Throne

The famous tale of Matilda, the Lady of England, and her son, King Henry II, often overshadows the question of what might have happened if Matilda had truly won against King Stephen. In such an alternate history, the title of Geoffrey Plantagenet, her husband, would likely be a topic of great interest to historians and enthusiasts.

In this piece, we explore the potential titles Geoffrey might have held, considering the historical context and practices.

Historical Context: The Reign of a Queen Regnant

Matilda, despite never officially becoming Queen, held significant power as the Lady of England. Her son, Richard Plantagenet, later became King of England. However, what title would have been given to Geoffrey Plantagenet if his wife had managed to defeat King Stephen and ascend the throne herself?

Legal and Religious Precedents

During the 12th century and for centuries after, the husband of a queen in her own right was always king. This was not because of any prior laws or traditions but due to ecclesiastical beliefs and further military duties. The Church ruled that a wife was obliged to obey her husband, and as a monarch's primary duty was leading armies in battle, a woman could not fulfill this role.

These beliefs contributed to the resistance towards women inheriting the throne. If a monarch were a woman, her husband or any foreigner marrying her could claim the crown and wield power instead.

Potential Titles for Geoffrey Plantagenet

With no precedents or laws to guide them, the situation would have been unprecedented in England and rare in Europe. They would have needed to make something up. Here are two plausible scenarios involving Geoffrey's title:

1. Jure Uxoris: King 'By Right of His Wife'

One possibility is that Geoffrey would be crowned jure uxoris, which translates to "by right of his wife." This scenario would have been analogous to how Fulk of Anjou became King of Jerusalem in 1131 through his marriage to Melisende, niece and co-ruler of the previous king.

However, the exact nature of this title would have required negotiation with the government, as was the case with Melisende's rule. The previous King, Baldwin II, had to concede significant power to Fulk to marry Melisende, who eventually became a mere figurehead. Given Matilda's character, it is less likely she would have been so compliant and weak.

2. Separate Titles: Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy

Another plausible scenario is that Geoffrey would maintain his status as Count of Anjou and possibly Duke of Normandy, which he assumed by right of conquest in 1144. Meanwhile, Matilda, as Queen of England, would rule her separate realm as an equal partner. This arrangement would mirror the real-life relationship where Matilda led her forces into England, while Geoffrey concentrated on his French territories.

Conclusion

The exact title Geoffrey Plantagenet would have held is subject to speculation, given the unprecedented nature of the situation. However, the most likely scenario would be one where he maintained his French titles, and Matilda, as the Queen of England, ruled from the throne in her own right. This arrangement would have allowed them to govern their respective realms as allies, a reflection of their real-life relationship and the historical context of the time.