# Empress Matilda lands in England (1139)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1139-empress-matilda-lands-in-england
Categories: main-event

Matilda entered England to press her hereditary claim against Stephen. Within the broader Norman & Angevin Britain period, Norman conquest, cross-Channel lordship and royal reform created a new aristocracy and a more centralized monarchy. This event is placed at 1139 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. Her arrival turned the succession dispute into full civil war.

## Why it matters
Her arrival turned the succession dispute into full civil war.

Ruler at the time: [Stephen](https://english-history.com/rulers/stephen)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — Empress Matilda lands in England](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=Empress+Matilda+lands+in+England&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Empress Matilda lands in England](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Empress+Matilda+lands+in+England)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281000%E2%80%931499%29)
- [The National Archives — medieval education resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)