Empress Matilda, the daughter of King Henry I of England, became embroiled in a power struggle known as The Anarchy after her father's death. This tumultuous period was characterized by a conflict over the English throne between Matilda and her cousin, King Stephen of Blois. The political landscape was complicated by shifting allegiances and the challenges posed by a predominantly male aristocracy that was hesitant to accept a woman as sovereign. Matilda's declared title of 'Lady of the English' represented a significant challenge to these traditional norms and a bid to assert her rights as the legitimate heir to her father's throne.

On this day, Matilda was crowned in London, a city that had been seized by her loyal forces amidst bloody skirmishes. The ceremony was conducted amidst heightened tension and a backdrop of civil war. The event highlighted the fractured political climate of the time and the desperate measures her supporters were willing to take to establish her authority. Although Matilda's rule was fraught with challenges and opposition, her declaration as Lady of the English was a critical moment intended to showcase female leadership during a time when such a notion was unprecedented.

Despite the chaotic circumstances surrounding her ascension, Matilda's coronation was indicative of the larger struggle for power within England. The conflict continued for several years, and though she would never achieve permanent control over the throne, her attempts to establish herself as a ruler paved the way for her son, Henry II, to eventually become king, solidifying the Plantagenet dynasty. The efforts made by Matilda not only altered the course of English history but also began to slowly reshape perceptions about the role of women in governance.