Just three women appear in the main body of the Bayeux tapestry: Edith of Wessex, shown grieving at the deathbed of her husband Edward the Confessor; the mysterious and much-debated shrouded figure named Ælfgyva; and a woman fleeing a burning building with her child. Missing from the tapestry is the one woman who played a key part in the success of William the Conqueror’s campaign: his wife of 30 years, Matilda of Flanders, co-ruler of England and Normandy.

In the 18th century, scholar Father Bernard of Montfaucon recorded the rumour that Matilda herself had sewn the Bayeux Tapestry for her husband. It was known as Queen Matilda’s (or Maud’s) tapestry until the 19th century when other theories found favour. A replica (now at Reading Museum), made by a team from the Leek School of Art Embroidery between 1885 and 1886, also made it clear that multiple embroiderers were likely involved.

The wealthy Matilda may not be portrayed in person on the tapestry, but in commissioning and gifting her husband a ship called the Mora – the largest and swiftest of his invasion fleet – she was instrumental in ensuring the success of his campaign.

Matilda was born around 1030 to parents Baldwin V, count of Flanders (d. 1067) and Adela, a royal princess of France (d. 1076), descended from Ottonian emperors, a prominent dynasty of Saxons who ruled between the 9th century and 1024. These were powerful and wealthy people, whose standing and lineage far outstripped that of William, an illegitimate son of the Duke of Normandy who faced rebellion and criticism.

A powerful ally like Flanders and ties to the neighbouring French royal court helped........

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