William and Matilda

Georgette Heyer is my favourite author. Its the characters she defines, set against the Regency Period (usually) - the bold, benevolent, evergreen, dashing men, and the women - I want to be like each one of them..

William the Conqueror, though is not quite like the other books I've read by her. It is set in 11th century Europe. William the Bastard as he was popularly known then was the Duke of Normandy. He eventually conquered England in a very unlikely battle against Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon King, becoming the first Norman King of England. Well he was one hell of a man.. An illegitimate child, who grew up to be fearless, ruthless, known for his sudden aggressive behaviour.

Matilda of Flanders was the woman William set his heart upon. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, she was England's smallest queen, with a height of 4'2" ..!

She was known to be a beautiful, aloof, cold bitch. Nobody spurned William the Bastard when he proposed for marriage. She did. She insulted and humiliated him instead.
William responded in a very unconventional way to the lady he desired. He barged into her chambers at her father's palace, dragged her by her hair and flogged her in front of her maid servants.

Matilda couldn't resist such a man even though the bruises hurt her for months. She accepted his proposal when asked the second time, soon after the beating.
In truth, she had always been equally attracted to him, she just wanted to see how crazy he'd go, to what extreme end..just to have her.

Women have always been devious it seems.
They made a great couple, were always passionately in love. He is supposed to have remained faithful to her all his life - which is 'wow' considering that time period. She bore him 11 children - some stamina in the woman!

Though the book chronicles William's life, battles and conquests (Matilda being one too), the chapter on his violent way of wooing stood out. I do hope no man tries it out now though - they might not get quite the same reaction.