Coming soon ...

Wicked stepmothers, fairy godmothers, winsome princesses, bad-ass Highland lasses, kick-ass ice queens. But what would Disney do with a real, honest-to-God medieval woman in power? Answers coming next week in "Medieval Queens: Disney Edition".

The Many Roles of a Queen: Mathilda as...

A queen has the capability to take on several different roles, depending on the circumstance with which she is faced; her roles and subsequent actions, that is, are context-specific. A queen’s power is not fixed, since how she employs both her authority and influence is based upon the role she is fulfilling in that instance. Consequently, the queen is the sole member of the royal household who is able to realize her several important essential roles simultaneously, in order to exercise maximum authority and ensure that the domestic and political sphere of the royal household and the larger community maintain prolonged stability.

The variety of the queen’s roles is noted by many medieval authors. Hincmar of Reims, for example, states that the queen performed several governmental and familial tasks, because she was responsible for “the good management of the palace, and especially the royal dignity, as well as the gifts given annually to the officers” (219). With this statement, Hincmar acknowledges the queen’s position as one that transcends the royal household and enters the realm of the state’s politics. Hincmar’s description also applies to Mathilda as she is one English queen of the early twelfth-century who maintains several different roles throughout her lifetime. As a queen of notable longevity, she was able to exercise control over the decisions made during not only the rule of her husband, but also the rule of her sons and grandsons not only because this is part of her responsibility as mother.

Mathilda as Mother and Grandmother:

Mathilda played a vital role as mother. Since she had several children including three sons, Henry, Otto, and Brun, she was responsible for their education. She particularly had to ensure a proper political education for her sons not only because this was expected from her role as a mother, but also to further her own royal standing and political motives as they were the future rulers of the kingdom after her husband deceased. Additionally, due to the several children she bore, she had several male grandchildren who were also in line for the throne and were potential future kings of the region. Furthermore, during the reign of these male children and grandchildren, she was frequently able to influence their decisions and governance as they trusted her judgment and often acted upon her advice.

Mathilda as Spiritual Role Model:

Mathilda also acted very piously in a manner that a queen of the time period was expected to behave. She displayed several religious virtues, including charity, forgiveness, humility, and chastity, that can be likened to those of previous queens such as Helen and Radegund. This comparison validated her queenship in several aspects because it links her directly to the actions of her predecessors. She is said to have regularly went to the church during the nighttime in order to display her religious nature and then lay on the church floor to display her piety.

Mathilda as Wife and Queen:

Mathilda also exercised significant authority during her husband, King Henry I’s, reign; she influenced many of his political decisions. Furthermore, the queen maintained power over the many high-ranking officers, particularly, the chamberlain, who managed the royal treasury. Mathilda also acted as the key mediating figure between the king and the subjects. Additionally, in typical queenly custom, Mathilda was able to effectively be part of both the political and domestic spheres. Therefore, she essentially maintained a foothold in both royal realms and exercised control over matters both inside the castle and without.

The Carolingians

The Carolingians offered an early medieval take on HBO's historical drama "The Tudors". It followed the lives of the the women of the Carolingian court from its beginning c. 751 with Pippin and continuing with his son, the famous Charlemagne. Where the show differed from its HBO counterpart is that it followed the women of the court and their intrigues, trials, and glories. Spanning several seasons, the show was unfortunately lost in a freak network computer failure; these few synopsis are all that remain.

Season 1, Episode 2

After a harrowing pilot episode, Pippin is now king. He has taken care of his brother Carloman, his two bastard brothers, and his half brother ,ensuring he would have no inheritance challenges. Carloman and his sons remain a distant threat, as hinted at by the last scene of the pilot. With his new status he begins to question his marriage to his wife Bertrada. While she was a good match for him as a noble, he begins to doubt her political advantages as a queen. Bertrada is not unaware of his new thoughts, and worries for her position as his wife and what will happen if he sets her aside. Tensions begin to rise between the two as Bertrada takes note of the her husband’s wandering gaze. She worries more and more about her young sons and what would happen to their inheritance if he set her aside for someone else. Bertrada begins to look for ways to cement her relationship with her husband, and Pippin looks to the pope for advice. In a twist of luck for Bertrada, the pope advises Pippin against setting her aside for a politically-advantageous bride. The episode ends with Pippin and Bertrada getting consecrated, and in the last few minutes of the episode a missive arrives declaring that Carloman is coming to visit with his brother.

Season 1, Episode 3

The royal court is thrown into an uproar after the previous episode, in which it was revealed that Pippin’s brother Carloman was returning from Montecassino to visit the king. As the reason for this visit is yet unknown, it worries both Pippin and Bertrada, as there is still the issue of Carloman’s sons’ inheritance. This tension adds to the growing rift between Pippin and Bertrada after his move to put her aside and take another queen. Carloman arrives, and soon it is revealed that it is his intention to plead his case for his sons, as they had received no inheritance when he withdrew to the monastery. There is much debate over how to respond to his pleas. Together Pippin and Bertrada decide that Carloman’s fate as well as those of his sons will come under her purview. Bertrada thinks of her own sons, and what they stand to inherit from their father. She also speaks of her concern that Carloman's sons pose a threat to her children's inheritance--and possibly their lives--if she does not play her hand well. Carloman is put under house arrest and is forbidden from leaving the castle. Bertrada eavesdrops on her husband being propositioned, and is surprised when he turns the woman away. She enters, pretending to not know of what happened, and a new seed of trust is sown between the two. The episode ends with Carloman’s sons being tonsured, as Pippin and Bertrada look lovingly upon their sons.

Season 2, Episode 3

Season two ended with the death of Pippin and the division of the kingdom between Charlemagne and his brother Carloman.  Bertrada has outlived Pippin and now has a new importance and new title in the kingdom. The people are hailing her as “mother of kings”. Her time as queen, however, has changed Bertrada. Charlemagne has a wife of Frankish descent when he ascends to the throne. Bertrada seems to forget her own fears when she was a younger woman, and encourages her son to give up his wife for a better political alliance by marrying a Lombard princess. There is much political intrigue and gossip surrounding this decision, as Bertrada herself was once on the chopping block. In a tense scene, Charlemagne begins to question his mother’s decision to forge a new, politically-advantageous marriage alliance. She reminds him how she kept her brother-in-law, his uncle, in her custody until his death, and sent his cousins to be tonsured to clear Charlemagne's path to the crown. She tells him she will do anything to ensure his success. Shortly afterwards, she leaves to reconcile with the pope. He agrees with the match, fearing Lombard aggression, and Bertrada herself escorts the new bride to Francia. The episode ends with their marriage.

Queens as Wives, Mothers... and Virgins?

Wife and mother has been the standard career description for women for a very long time. In fact, it often seems like the only one. Historically, even when women have sought roles outside of this sphere, they have relied on their position within that sphere to justify themselves, like female abolitionists in the 1800’s whose arguments turned on their position as mothers.  In this way, women seem perpetually defined by another person.

However, there are other models available--at least since the formation of Christianity, the model of perpetual virginity has been not only available, but exalted. In fact, marriage and motherhood is almost problematic for medieval hagiographers--how could they reconcile queens who were both wives and mothers with saintly virgins?  One obvious route would be to identify them with the “mother” aspect of Mary as the Virgin Mother.  However, some hagiographers actually seem interested in trying to link these married women with the “virgin” aspect instead, which certainly seems to be going against the grain.  

The anonymous biographer of Queen Mathilda is bound and determined to try, though: ”For even when this venerable queen, “outstanding in marital power and even more so in divine religion”, ascended to the royal throne, she remained chaste in her marriage bond and thus in no way lacked a distinction second only to that of the virgin” (Gilsdorf 2004, 94).  Interestingly, Mathilda is not so much being praised for being a wife and mother but for being devout, and it is clear from this passage that being a wife and mother is actually secondary to virginity, the most honorable state of life.

Even while acknowledging that Mathilda is clearly a married woman, her biographer sees no reason not to try to metaphorically build a relationship between Mathilda and notable virgins anyway--“during the night, she secretly left the king’s side and, believing him unaware of the fact, slipped out of the royal bedchamber.  She then devoted her soul to prayer so that she might reconcile herself to God, whom she loved chastely and whom she served in total faith” (Gilsdorf 2004, 95).  Rather than marriage and motherhood being the prototype for women, judging from this account it is more important to establish Mathilda as sharing qualities associated with religious virgins.

One possible way to understand this decision to equate powerful secular women (e.g. queens) with holy virgins--an approach which occurs in more than just the life of Mathilda, notably also in the life of Radegund, an account that the life of Mathilda draws on heavily in places--is to understand virginity as a uniquely female expression of autonomy and power, where women are not defined through their relationship to a man. Though still defined by their sexual status, they could draw power from their relationship with God, a relationship that could one-up a relationship with a king, as divine power is superior even to royal power (which is often justified as being divinely ordained anyway).  This is perhaps the sort of idea that another medieval queen, Emma, had in mind when crafting her image by suggesting a parallel with the Virgin Mary, “that most unambiguous of queens, Mary Queen of Heaven” (Stafford 2002, 20).  As Pauline Stafford has pointed out, “the presentations of Mary not only stress her queenship, but give an idea of the dignity which could be attached to it in contemporary eyes” (Stafford 2002, 13).  Virginity in medieval Europe could connote not only holiness but power, and sometimes it was best to align yourself with both.

Queenly Bios: Playbill Edition

If the queens in the ninth century could come together in a fictional play ("The Tales of Beowulf"), what would they write in their playbill bios? Generally told in the third person, these bios reflect what the actor wishes the audience to know about them. Based on the documents written about these queens, I decided to write their bios as how they are portrayed in these documents.

Matilda - As a young child, Matilda always desired to perform. Since her whimsical and destined marriage to King Henry I (the then-Duke Henry), she was far too busy to ever partake in anything like this show. She is a past queen, a wife, mother, and grandmother. All of these duties, which she has nurtured and enjoyed throughout the years, has made her very grateful for her noble title. She misses her late true love, as they had a wonderful life together. Excited to get the show underway, she would like to thank her glorious, loving husband for his continued support in their marriage, and also her five children. She gives her regards to her blessed son, King Otto, and hugs and kisses to her dearest son Henry.

Waldrada - The retired queen, Waldrada, is elated to be a part of such a lovely production. As many had witnessed her acclaim to the throne as an unstable ascension, she would firstly like to alleviate such criticism with dearest apologies. After everything that has happened, she is grateful to all who fought for her cause to be united with her long love. As they have fought so hard to remain together, Waldrada would like to thank her late husband King Lothar II and her beautiful son Hugh.

Theutberga - This is her first time acting in a show like this. Theutberga is enraptured to be performing in her first ever production, the Tales of Beowulf. Many of you would know Theutberga from her public divorce dispute some twelve years ago. Slandered by the king himself and painted as a sinner in the early years of the divorce case, she is now living out her days in the abbey of St. Glotsinde. After all the quarrelling during the case, she is happy with her new life and to be rid of the painful past. Although God did not bless her with a child, He did bless her with the refuge of a holy place of worship. Throughout the case, she fell victim to views of the sanctity of marriage in the church and the contemporary world. However, she would like to make public her longtime desire to gain an annulment from a man who disdains the Virgin Mary. She would like to thank God and her family for their support throughout the years.

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What Theutberga and Waldrada Said ...

This conversation was overheard by a servant who was packing Theutberga’s belongings. It takes place around 860, after it has been found out that Theutberga’s trial by ordeal was a sham, and the council decides on an annulment.

Scene: A huge chamber. Servants are moving in and out, carrying Theutberga’s belongings. Waldrada enters, appraising the place, seeing what she wants to change and what will stay the same when she moves in. Theutberga is slightly older than Waldrada, maybe by a year. Theutberga is a blonde, while Waldrada is a brunette. Theutberga is tall and elegant, almost swanlike, while Waldrada is shorter and curvier. When Waldrada see Theutberga she walks right up to her. A servant girl sees this and pauses her work, knowing that what is about to happen will be extremely juicy court gossip.

Waldrada: (Sighs.) It is such a pity that you have to move out again. It is for the best, though. Lothar will be happy and that will allow him to rule his kingdom properly. Are you going to try and perform another miracle to get out of this? (Snickers at her own wittiness.)

Theutberga: (Snidely) I can see why he likes you. You provide him with entertainment.

Waldrada: (Picks up one of Theutberga’s garments. Examines it, seemingly absentmindedly) Oh, I do more than that.

Theutberga: (Internally bristling. She takes a moment to collect herself. Moves toward the window, away from the servants. She is a woman of class who doesn’t want her personal life on display. The servant girl strains her neck to hear.) What position did you have?

Waldrada: I am the wife of the king.

Theutberga: You misheard me. What position did you have before you supposedly married Lothar?

Waldrada: (Silence. Waldrada looks down stubbornly. She knows Theutberga is right, but she doesn’t want let her know.)

Theutberga: (A slight smirk on her face. She loves that she’s right, but she still wants to behave like a lady.) As I thought. You can bring nothing to this marriage. You have no connections. You have nothing that will actually strengthen the king’s rule. You are just a pretty face.

Waldrada: (Fierce, almost hissing.) I am not just a pretty face. I can bear children. I was also a virgin when I married Lothar. You, however, were not. And I’ve heard it was with your own brother, too. It is quite unsavory. You are lucky you just get an annulment. It could be so much worse. You could have been done away with.

Theutberga: (Waves her hand dismissively) He could never kill me. I have too many connections. A war would be started over my death. The funny thing is that you continue to paint me as a monster. Think, however, about who brought this so-called monster into the palace.

Waldrada: (Indignant) You brought yourself into the palace—my palace. You used sorcery to enchant him into marrying you!

Theutberga: (A snort escapes Theutberga’s nose. She couldn’t help herself. She takes a breath and shakes her head. It can be very difficult to try to explain things to someone as thick as Waldrada.) No. Someone much simpler than that. Your darling Lothar brought me into the palace. He makes himself to be the victim by claiming it is my fault for the failed marriage, but that is not possible. He is the king; he made  the decision to marry me and bring me here. He cannot be the victim if he chose to do this. Lothar is just as monstrous as I am because he married me. Congratulations, Waldrada, you are married to a beast.

Waldrada: (Her mouth is agape. She opens and closes it trying to formulate a response.)

Theutberga: (Gives her a smile. It’s wolf-like.) Now, if you will excuse me.
I have to finish packing my chambers.

The Kingly Classifieds

M4W: King Seeking Queen for Marriage

   I am a newly-appointed king seeking a noblewoman for marriage. Those without the proper lineage and influence to support the kingdom need not apply. I am looking for someone pious, but not to the point of excess. She should conduct herself respectfully at all times and perform her duties as queen without delay. It is important to remember that you serve an integral role in the political sphere: it will do no good to try and lead a cloistered life and shirk your duties as queen, as the Frankish queen Radegund did. You must serve my interests and represent me when I am not present. At feasts, you must make sure that our guests are comfortable, and prevent insult to any foreign nations that visit our palace. As queen, you will be a central figure in palace life, and all eyes will be upon you. Therefore, it is crucial that you carry yourself with grace. Above all else, we must remember to put the needs of the kingdom first.

   As a side note, I already have a lovely woman in my life with whom I have lived for a number of years. Now that I am king, however, I must find a partner whose family will offer support to my newly-found leadership. My companion’s family lacks the influence and power necessary for such a partnership, yet I am still very much in love with her. Love and marriage are often separate, so this does not mean that you and I cannot have a happy and blessed union. Heirs often strengthen a political marriage, and as queen it is your duty to raise our children well so that ours sons might one day succeed me. I need a queen who will not be the jealous type, and will not let my relationships get in the way of ruling our kingdom.

If you believe this may be you, please send an email to carolingianking@lotharingia.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.

M4W: Seeking Woman for Romantic Relationship

      I have been married to my queen for a couple of years, but as so often happens with royal matches, we are not as romantically compatible as we hoped. Therefore, I am seeking someone to take as a lover. It is almost expected that kings will have concubines, and you will gain a respected place in court. Discretion and modesty are important: it would do no good to shame our kingdom by acting disgracefully. I am looking for a woman who will make a good companion and who has a respectable background. I do not wish to make a spectacle like other kings have in the past: queens and lovers are both important, and neither should be slighted. Unlike my cousin Lothar II, I have nothing against my queen. She is a kind and gracious woman who performs her duties with great dignity. I do not wish to seek an annulment, or to raise false charges against the queen to have her dismissed. I am looking for someone who understands how to navigate such difficult situations, and will not attempt to use my affection to further her own position at court. If you think we might have a chance at romance, please contact me! I await your reply at temporalpower@thefranks.gov.

'Til Death Do Us Part: A Medieval Detective Story

The Players:

Fredegar- hired by Lothar to spy on Waldrada and Theutberga

Waldrada- First queen of Lothar, living in the royal castle

Theutberga- Second, ‘lawful’ queen of Lothar, also living in the castle

Hubert- Theutberga’s brother, and accused lover

Rosalind- Fredegar’s sweetie and a serving girl

Clovis- A stableboy

Our Scene:

860 AD, the court of Lothar II, Carolingian king.

Nov 12th, 860

            Let me start at the beginning, or at least the beginning of my involvement in this sordid state of affairs. I’ve saved up enough to buy some low grade parchment and cheap ink from the monks so that I can record the events as they truly happened. I’ll write through the night until my inkwell runs dry and my candles extinguish themselves.

Who am I, you may ask? I’m Fredegar- a nobody- Just another wretch trying to survive by his wits and his brawn, like every other joker here at the castle. My father was an innkeeper who also happened to be a spy for Emperor Lothar. The first Lothar. He agreed to take me and raise me in the royal house as an honorable payment for some choice information my father gave him, which proved invaluable in helping the king win a victory in a major battle. After realizing  that I made a terrible squire, a worse cook, and had no sense of piety although the monks said I was quick to learn, they found a spot for me among the scribes and record keepers of the castle.
This work suits me. I’m left alone for much of the time and live comfortably in a sparsely furnished chamber in a long neglected wing of the castle. I'm treated well and have made a name for myself. Because of the time I spent trying to find my career path, I’m familiar with just about everyone here, from the royals down to the scullery maids. I like to know what’s going on and people come to me first when they need to dig up some dirt on someone. But I never expected the king to step into my room late the other night.  

Lothar is not a physically imposing man. But royal blood surges through his veins and his presence commands attention. I rose from my chair in surprise and offered it to  him. He threw his ermine cloak over the back of it, but did not sit down, instead he began pacing back and forth distractedly. After some time he sat down.
“Fredegar-“ He began but lost his thoughts. We spent several minutes in silence until he began again.
“Fredegar, we have known each other most of our lives and have never been extremely close, but I come to you now out of desperation. I need you to be my eyes and ears. I need you to find out what you can about the schemes of Waldrada and Theutberga. I don’t trust my advisers and it’s well known that you have ways of finding out even the most hidden secrets. I’m afraid Waldrada’s hiding something from me… My father trusted your father. Let us also have a mutually beneficial relationship.” 

             I didn’t know what to say. This was not a request but a royal command. He expected my agreement. I nodded and he quickly got up to leave. He turned as he walked out the door. “Meet me outside the chapel in two days to report your information to me. I’m trusting you and only you, Fredegar, and I’ll reward you handsomely for your help.” And with a flourish of his cloak he disappeared down the darkened hall. Whatever you’re paying me, I thought to myself, isn’t worth getting involved in this mess.

The next morning I set out for the stables. If you want to know what’s really happening in a royal court make friends with a minstrel, a priest, and a stableboy. Clovis was there as usual, wiping down a hotblooded destrier just back from his morning run. Waldrada often came down to ride her palfrey with her ladies and I told Clovis to keep his ears open when they’re around. He’s a good lad. His hair is long and the color of black walnut dye, but his eyes a little too close together and he has a bit of a harelip. For all of that, he’s affectionate with the beasts and seems to prefer the company of horses to that of men. Can’t say I blame him. I tossed him a slice of butter cake and headed back to my quarters.

            I came to a dead stop at the top of the stairs leading to my chamber and quickly jumped behind some ragged old purple drapery and listened carefully. I clearly heard Waldrada’s voice  and a male voice talking in low, hushed tones outside my chamber door, but I couldn’t understand what they were saying except brief phrases such as “does she suspect anything yet?” and “…she is alone at…” After several minutes of this I heard the heavy sound of male footsteps descending the opposite staircase and Waldrada began walking towards my hiding place.
           I jumped out and lightly touched her arm. “Who dares to touch the queen!?” She let out a little squeal of surprise, then quickly narrowed her eyes and looked me up and down. “Oh it’s just you. I was hoping to catch you here. We need to talk.” She grabbed my hand and we hurried into the chamber and locked the door.

           She turned to me, her eyes flashing fire. “Where have you been? With that serving wench Rosalind again? Oh well, it doesn’t matter.” She turned her back to me in mock anger. She was stunning: wide, feminine hips; glossy flaxen hair, the blue eyes of a wolf. Her undertunic was a rich burgundy, the over tunic a vivid indigo. Delicate gold thread was embroidered in a leaf pattern on her low slung belt. She was breathtaking and she knew it. You might say we were familiar with each other. We met at a banquet a few years ago and have seen a lot of each other since. Lothar has been so preoccupied with Theutberga he hasn’t even noticed, and I’m sure I’m not her only lover.

           “I want you to gather information for me about Lothar.” She said quietly. “I know he’s hiding things from me about his relationship with Theutberga. He knows things about the future of their union and I need to know what. It might involve Hubert. He won’t tell me anything and I’m afraid.”  She gave me a long, lingering kiss and flashed her icy blue eyes at me. Please Fredegar, I need your help. Don’t make me handle things on my own.” And with that she was gone.

           I sat, stunned, for a few minutes and drank a cup of mead with unsteady hands. I was in a real mess, now. I knew exactly what Waldrada and the rest of them were capable of if they found out who I was really working for. Who was I working for, anyway? I was nervous, and it showed.
          As soon as I began to relax a sharp, terrified scream pierced the silence. Rosalind found me in the hall, her face as white as a ghost. “Fredegar!” She gasped. “It’s Theutberga! She’s been attacked in her room!” The poor girl was shaking like a leaf. I held her in my arms for a second to comfort her and then we rushed off to find out what happened…

To Be Continued…

          

How to Get Rid of a Queen: A Guide to Removing that Bothersome Matriarch in Your Life

This guide is intended for those new queens who find themselves in the uncomfortable position of not being able to fill their rightful place as queen, due to their stubborn, unrelinquishing mothers-in-law.

            It is not uncommon to find that one’s mother-in-law has difficulty leaving the position of power as queen upon the death of her husband. This will be problematic for you as the new queen. As your husband rises to the role of king, you will be given a set of important responsibilities, such as working with the chamberlain, forging important relationships with courtiers and religious leaders, and handling most palace matters on behalf of the king. But if the dowager queen holds on to her role, as well as your husband, all you will be left with is producing children. Perhaps you are thinking “Well, less work for me!” But keep in mind that if she is controlling your husband, then she will control your children’s lives as well. In addition to your husband, your sons are your lifeline to power. You must work hard to secure their positions as future kings and leaders, which will secure your own position as well. So if the dowager controls your sons and what happens to them, she ultimately will control what happens to you. If the problem wasn’t clear before, it is now. This guide, then, will help you subtly knock her off her pedestal while creating your own.

            The most important tool in your possession is your proximity to the king. You are in a unique position that is accessible to no one, including his mother – you have his ear at the end of the day. This is where the process of prying her fingers off him will begin. In the privacy of your chambers together, once everyone has gone, you will be making small observations. For example, “Your mother gives so much of her wealth to the church. What a generous woman--but where does it all come from?” Perhaps you will be lucky and she will favor another son, a circumstance you can exploit by bringing this to your husband’s attention; “Your mother dotes on your brother like Mathilda did on her Henry, which must make you poor Otto.” These small comments, which seem harmless, will lodge in his mind, and will lead him to see where his mother is being vexing.  This is crucial to removing her from power. These comments will quietly whittle away at their relationship, but not completely destroy it. More importantly your husband will believe he is drawing important conclusions about her meddling in his affairs on his own. It is excruciatingly important for him to believe her removal is his idea, and it will never be traced back to you.

            If these comments have been received well (and by "well" I mean your husband is beginning to truly seeing how obnoxious it is to have his mother controlling every second of every day), then proceed with the next step.

 An important element of your role as queen is to build close relationships with powerful people, which you will utilize in the future. The dowager definitely has a large, powerful retinue of loyal subjects. You must begin to generate your own coterie of allies. Providing gifts and favors is the most efficient way of doing so. Offer help to anyone in need whether it be money or procuring time with his majesty. These favors will be large, but store them up like a small animal, because winter will come and you can call on them for support. If your mother-in-law is maddening enough to utilize this guide, then she will most likely have many supporters in the religious community, as well as being a pillar of piety herself. You must conduct yourself like this as well, creating a balance between being an obedient wife and devoted to God on a level comparable to Radegund. These powerful friends and your high religiosity will not only protect you, but be an important thing you pass down to your children.

            The most important ally of any queen is the chamberlain. Working intimately with him is crucial to executing the inner workings of the palace. Being on good terms with this man is highly advised. Guaranteed the old bag has him wrapped around her finger right next to your husband. This has to end. You must be orchestrating palace life because it is your domain. The king will handle matters of the kingdom and you a responsible for organizing things at home, so the he does not have to waste energy there. Otherwise you are not truly the queen. If you can, slowly begin winning him over, as well as interjecting yourself into arrangements. If this seems highly unlikely, then his removal all together may be necessary. This will be as difficult as removing the dowager. Strategically begin questioning his ability, as well as worth, to the king. Hopefully by now your husband is seriously aggravated with his mother thanks to your observations, and if he is close to the dowager, then he must be a part of her schemes, and the two can be removed together.

            If you have made it successfully to this point, well done. By now your husband is thoroughly doubting his mother’s loyalty, and seriously considering forcing her to retire to some abbey. You should be cultivating many friends in high places, and working closely with the present chamberlain or training your new one. The final shove will be ­isolating the Dowager, so that once she leaves the position of power she is in, she can never regain it. Part of this will be removing her wealth. Once it in your husband’s head, as well as other important men, that she is hiding her wealth, they will want to confiscate it. Completely support this decision. Once this critical assets is taken from her, she will be less attractive to those people who have supported her in the past. Additionally, all those who you have assisted will not want to cross you either - now that they owe you so much, they would hate to ruin their good relations with the queen. When this all falls together she will be left with no choice but to relinquish her position as to avoid leaving in disgrace. Finally, make perfect arrangements for her to retire to a nice abbey far, far away.

            An important note - never be nasty or cruel. This is not about hatred or victory (well, maybe a little). Rather, it is about gaining your rightful position at your husband’s side. Do not make an ass of yourself like Theophanu, bragging about making Adelheid a nobody. If you assume that your success is guaranteed, it most certainly will come back to bite you. Remember, a day will come when another young queen will be thinking about how she can usurp your power, so you can either bow out of power nicely or remember these instruction and cut her off at every turn. If you subtly plan and are never openly annoyed or publicly disrespectful of the dowager, by the time she suspects anything of your coup, it will be too late and everything will be set into motion.