The Death of Princes. Excerpt from Empress Matilda of England: a Play in Five Acts

Empress Matilda of England was one of the most influential of the Angevins in medieval England. Yet few Americans have heard of her. Sent from London to live in the Kaiser’s court in Germany, she grew up in Mainz and fell in love with her intended, Kaiser Heinrich V.

In this scene from the play, Matilda spends one last moment with the Kaiser she grew to love.

ACT III, SCENE III

1125 23 May. Utrecht, Friesland. Kaiser Heinrich’s apartment. KAISER HEINRICH lays in bed atten...