Matilda of Flanders. Duchess of Normandy. Queen of England. This statue in the Jardin du Luxembourg, La Reine Mathilde, depicts a woman who wore many crowns. She stands here, frozen in marble, as a testament to a life intertwined with power, conquest, and enduring love. Commissioned by King Louis-Philippe I himself, the statue was sculpted by Carle Vital Elshoect in a Romanesque style. It was completed in 1848 and presented at the Paris Salon that same year. La Reine Mathilde is one of twenty marble statues gracing the gardens, each representing a powerful woman from French history.
But Matilda’s story extends far beyond the borders of France. Born around 1031, she was promised to William the Conqueror, then Duke of Normandy, in a strategic marriage that solidified his claim to the English throne. When William embarked on his conquest of England, Matilda ruled Normandy in his stead, a testament to her strength and political acumen. After William’s victory at the Battle of Hastings, Matilda joined him in England and was crowned Queen in 1068. Their’s was a love story for the ages. It’s said that William remained devoted to Matilda throughout their marriage, a rarity in a time when kings often had mistresses. When Matilda fell ill, William remained by her side until her death in 1083. He joined her in eternal rest just four years later.
As you gaze upon La Reine Mathilde, remember that she was more than just a queen. She was a ruler, a wife, a mother, and a woman who left her mark on history.