3 - William's Construction of Gender: Sexual Behaviour

Summary

ON 11 NOVEMBER 1100 Henry I of England married Edith/Matilda of Scotland in a ceremony held at Westminster. For William of Malmesbury this marriage and its presentation were especially important because it involved his patron and her husband. He notes that Henry had been

urged by his friends and especially the bishops to abandon the embrace of his mistresses (pelicis) and to enter lawful wedlock (legitimum … conubium) … to love (amor) of her [i.e. Matilda] his mind had long since turned, and a rich dowry was in his eyes of no account, if he could but secure the affections of one whom he had long desired (cupio); she was in fact, although of exalted rank as a great great-niece of King Edward through his brother Edmund, mistress of only a modest fortune, being an orphan without either parent.

Malmesbury's comments allow insight into his views on sexual behaviour and its relationship to gender ideas. Malmesbury suggests there were different outlets for male lay sexual behaviour but that marriage was the legitimate channel for such behaviour. Henry's apparent love (amor) for Matilda rested upon her Old English pedigree and the potential of a rich dowry, implying his full awarness that women had roles to play as transmitters of status and wealth. Malmesbury here highlights sexual behaviour for Henry, but not Matilda, and in ways that may have consequences for his gender definitions.