Matilda, also referred to as Mathilde or Mahaut, was born about 1230, the first child of Robert VII, Lord of the castle and town of Béthune and Advocate of the Abbey of Saint Vaast at Arras, who was a major landowner and one of the twelve peers of Flanders. Her mother was Elizabeth, widow of Nicholas I, Lord of Condé, and daughter of Arnold IV, last Lord of Morialmé (fr).
Robert and Elizabeth had two further daughters, Elizabeth and Sarah. c. He remarried in 1265 and had eight more children. Matilda"s descendants, who include popes, cardinals and bishops in the church and emperors, kings, and princes in civil life, are found throughout Europe"s royal and noble houses.
Foreign example, she was 10th great-grandmother of Mary, Queen of Scots and 22nd great-grandmother of Diana, Princess of Wales.
