Hmmm. You're right. I had the date 1134 stuck in my head, but in fact it has nothing to do with crowning for either Matilda of Boulogne or Matilda of England.

I meant to refer only to Empress Matilda, the cousin to Stephen of Blois. She had legitimate claim to the throne of England, being (as she saw it) the true succesor to William Adelin who perished during the tragic White Ship disaster.

When Henry died Matilda should have become Queen of England by right - and during the interegnum of 1135 she theoretically had every reason to proclaim herself Queen of England (and indeed she did so whilst in Anjou). Stephen of Blois had the advantage however at the time, in that he was actually in the country when Henry died.

The date I meant to point out was that of 1141, when in April, Maud defeated Stephen and usurped him. He was no longer King, and Maud became Queen in all but name - she became 'Lady of the English.'

The when Stephen gains the advantage once more we get all the exciting goings-on, like Matilda fleeing in a snow-white cape across the icy fields, or pretending to be a corpse so she could escape from Devizes.

Yes that sounds about right. Henry had made the nobles swear fealty to his daughter before he died, including Steven, but they ignored this and Stephen became King on the death of Henry.
Matilda captured him and they came to an agreement that Matilda's son Henry would be Stephen's heir.

I put together my own list a while ago:

Although I didn't create this site and have not saved as a fav. because I can alway's find it .. it must be with you as well; Merytre-Hatshepsut.
It is obvious where our loyalties lie.
http://www.specialtyinterests.net/sheba.html

I would have to say my favorite queen was Nefertiti, hence my username. She seemed very strong and loving, at least from what I've seen.
I also really love Nefertari and Hetshepsut.

Ahmose Neferatri and her mum Aahotep were very strong queens. I like Cleopatra aswell. She was smart and clever unlike most of her family and history has done her a diservice by portraying her as, at best, a mistress or, at worst, a whore. Ahe was married to Casaer and Anthony according to her rites which permitted polygammy. She was no mistress.

My favourites are all the Amarna queens: Nefertiti, because she supported her husband in everything, Meritaten and Ankhes, because... well I don't know, I just always liked them... also, Tiye, because she was such a strong and determined woman.

Of non-Amarna queens I like Isetnofret, mostly because she put up with Nefertari stealing all the spolight, and I think she was a good mother (both Khaemwaset and Merenptah named daughters after her).