David J. Hay is an assistant professor of history at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada

• Introduction:Matilda of Canossa and the ‘Investiture Contest’ 1 Going to Canossa:Matilda’s rise to power, 1046-74 2 Baptism by Fire:The outbreak of war to the Battle of Sorbara, 1075-84 3 A ‘Feminine Triumph’:Matilda’s counterattack and the emperor’s defeat, 1085-95 4 La Gran Contessa:Matilda’s later campaigns, 1096-1115 5 ‘Weakness of Sex’:Matilda and medieval constructions of gender Conclusions:Matilda’s campaigns and the study of women’s military leadership Bibliography Index

David J. Hay is an assistant professor of history at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada

• Introduction:Matilda of Canossa and the ‘Investiture Contest’ 1 Going to Canossa:Matilda’s rise to power, 1046-74 2 Baptism by Fire:The outbreak of war to the Battle of Sorbara, 1075-84 3 A ‘Feminine Triumph’:Matilda’s counterattack and the emperor’s defeat, 1085-95 4 La Gran Contessa:Matilda’s later campaigns, 1096-1115 5 ‘Weakness of Sex’:Matilda and medieval constructions of gender Conclusions:Matilda’s campaigns and the study of women’s military leadership Bibliography Index

David J. Hay is an assistant professor of history at the University of Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada

• Introduction:Matilda of Canossa and the ‘Investiture Contest’ 1 Going to Canossa:Matilda’s rise to power, 1046-74 2 Baptism by Fire:The outbreak of war to the Battle of Sorbara, 1075-84 3 A ‘Feminine Triumph’:Matilda’s counterattack and the emperor’s defeat, 1085-95 4 La Gran Contessa:Matilda’s later campaigns, 1096-1115 5 ‘Weakness of Sex’:Matilda and medieval constructions of gender Conclusions:Matilda’s campaigns and the study of women’s military leadership Bibliography Index