Mighty in war: The role of Matilda of Tuscany in the war between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV.
Item
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Title
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Mighty in war: The role of Matilda of Tuscany in the war between Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV.
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Identifier
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AAI9986323
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identifier
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9986323
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Creator
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Eads, Valerie.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Howard L. Adelson
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Date
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2000
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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History, Medieval | Women's Studies | History, European | Biography
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Abstract
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Matilda of Tuscany is one of three women entombed in St. Peter's basilica. She earned her place in the basilica and in history by defending Pope Gregory VII when a dispute with King Henry IV of Germany escalated into open warfare in 1080. Although her actions secured Matilda of Tuscany a place in history, they have never been analyzed as military actions. This dissertation studies Matilda of Tuscany as a soldier.;The question of why this analysis was not made before and the new developments in women's history and military history that now allow it to be done are discussed. The sources---the papal register, the charters of Henry IV and of Matilda, monastic chronicles, saint's lives and the polemical literature---which were never intended to describe military actions in a logical manner, are considered.;In any study of war, a knowledge of terrain and geography is essential. The strategic importance of Matilda of Tuscany's position between the combatants is discussed.;Henry IV's efforts to take control of this territory are considered. Matilda's control of numerous castles is shown to be the means by which she kept it. The sources of troops and the effect of the Saxon rebellion in Germany are discussed. The role of other participants---the Normans of southern Italy and the Byzantine emperor---is added to the picture. The battle of Volta (autumn, 1080) is analyzed in this context.;The of 1081--84 is presented, with an explanation of the military logic of Matilda's known actions. How these actions fitted with other elements of the pope's defense is discussed. Crucial and previously under-utilized sources are considered.;Matilda's actions after Henry IV left Italy--the battle at Sorbara (2 July 1084) and her march to Rome to protect Pope Victor III---are discussed.;The varied sources from both sides of the war show that during her lifetime Matilda of Tuscany was recognized as an effective military leader. The little-studied treatise of John of Mantua is especially utilized.;This dissertation shows her known actions to be virtually a textbook of the practice of war in the eleventh century.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
