13. Empress Matilda: Thrust into Civil War
When Empress Matilda was named heir to the English throne, her limited experience and lack of political support became glaringly apparent. Her claim sparked a brutal civil war—known as The Anarchy—plunging England into years of instability and violence. Matilda’s struggle to assert authority demonstrates how inadequate preparation and uncertain succession can unleash chaos, altering a nation’s fate for generations.
