Tracy Joanne Borman - Queen of the Conqueror

I t is no exaggeration to say that this book could not have been written without the unstinting support of my parents, John and Joan Borman. Between them, they have clocked up so many miles on the East Coast Railway that they deserve shares in the company. My mother in particular has spent many days looking after my daughter in order for me to be able to visit the British Library and other places necessary for research. I am deeply grateful for her kindness, and that of my father, who made regular trips to the London Library on my behalf. I have also been lucky enough to have the support and encouragement of my sister, Jayne, her husband, Rick, and their two lovely daughters, Olivia and Neve.

This book has been greatly enhanced by the dedication and expertise of my publishers. In particular, I would like to thank my editors at Jonathan Cape and Bantam Dell, Alex Bowler, Jessica Waters, and Tracy Devine, for their invaluable insight and meticulous attention to detail. I am also delighted to have been supported by my wonderful publicists Hannah Ross and Lisa Barnes, and I am grateful to Steven Messer for his excellent detective work with the picture research and to Tom Avery for seeing the book through to completion. My agent, Julian Alexander, hasas eversupported me throughout with his sage advice, patience, and humor.

I have been very fortunate to have had the help and encouragement of my friend and fellow historian Alison Weir, who generously shared her research notes on Matilda with me, as well as her extensive collection of images. I would also like to thank Nicola Tallis for her valuable insights into the castles and abbeys of Normandy that are connected with Matildas history. Sincere thanks are also due to Julian Humphrys for sharing his expertise on eleventh-century warfare and for assisting with translations.

My colleagues at the Sandford Award have continued to encourage my writing career, and I am particularly grateful to Jean MacIntyre, John Hamer, and Gareth Fitzpatrick. I also owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the staff at Historic Royal Palaces with whom I have been lucky enough to work, notably Michael Day, John Barnes, David Souden, Ruth Gill, Rhiannon Goddard, and Sam Brown. I would also like to express my thanks to Dr. David Musgrove, editor of BBC History Magazine, and Hugh Alexander of the National Archives.

In a short acknowledgments section such as this, I cannot possibly do justice to the many kindnesses that I have received from the friends who contributedin different waysto the crafting of this book. They include Honor Gay, for her infectious enthusiasm about the book and for being such a wonderful playmate for Eleanor. Likewise, Maura and Howard Davies have continued to provide support with everything from babysitting to publicity. It is thanks to Lucinda and Stuart Eggleton that I was able to do much of the editing in Cyprus, and to Lisa, Rob, Lily, Zoe, Matthew, and Frances Cameron for letting me stay in their beautiful home in northern France while undertaking the research. I have been greatly touched by the kindness and support of my former headmaster Len Clark and his wife, Jeanne. It has also been a delight to become reacquainted with Judi Jones, the teacher who inspired my interest in history to begin with and who has shown great enthusiasm for my writing career.

I would also like to thank the following friends for their kindness, patience, and encouragement during the writing of this book: Rosie Fi-field, Carol Scoones, Margot Ducat, Jess Goon, Tina Ingram, Lon Gibbons, Doreen Cullen, Siobhan Clarke, Helen Dawson, Jean Franczyk, Chris Hall, Richard and Lizzie Knight, Nina Newbery, Leora Leboff, Anna Scott, Alice Burton, Philippa Treavett, Helen Durham, Janet Clarke, Mary Wackerbarth, John Moses, Chris Warwick, Brian and Elinor James, my fellow History Girls, Sarah Gristwood and Kate Williams, and the NCT Girls, Liesel Alexander, Paula Alvarez, Louise Groves, Susan Porter, Joanne Tresidder, and Katie Whitmarsh.

Finally, I would like to thank my daughter, Eleanor, for bringing me such joy over the past two years and for going to bed (more or less) on time so that I could get this book written.

T RACY B ORMAN
N OVEMBER 2011

ALSO BY TRACY BORMAN

The Ring and the Crown: A History of Royal Weddings, 10662011

Elizabeths Women: Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen

Henrietta Howard: Kings Mistress, Queens Servant

T RACY B ORMAN studied and taught history at the University of Hull and was awarded a PhD in 1997. She is now Chief Executive of the Heritage Education Trust and also works for Historic Royal Palaces. Her previous books include Henrietta Howard: Kings Mistress, Queens Servant; Elizabeths Women: Friends, Rivals, and Foes Who Shaped the Virgin Queen; and The Ring and the Crown: A History of Royal Weddings, 10662011, which she coauthored with Sarah Gristwood, Alison Weir, and Kate Williams. She lives in London with her daughter.

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