Foundation for Medieval Genealogy - Online Library Catalogue FND - Sybilla, Queen of Scotland Source ID: S-00001390 Full Title: Medieval Monarchs, Female Illegitimacy and Modern Genealogical Matters: Part I: Sybilla, Queen of Scotland, c.1090-1122 Author(s): Danna Messer (Messer, Danna R, BA, MA) Series Volume: 1 Series Number: 2 Pages: 99-103 Publication Date: Jul 2003 Source Type: Article Periodical: Foundations (FND) Language: English (Engl) Keywords: England, illegitimacy, royalty, Scotland Order copies of pages from this source Write a review or abstract for this source Suggest keywords for this source Foundation for Medieval Genealogy homepage Abstract by Danna Messer - 01 Jul 2003 This paper explores the origins of an atypical medieval practice in which some royals exploited their female illegitimate children for political gain. Henry I led the way in this respect, so the article evaluates the circumstances pertaining to his daughter, Sybilla, which were influenced by the politics of the kings of both England and Scotland. Medieval attitudes towards royal concubinage and gender roles help explain why female bastards were allowed to be players in high politics and why they continue to be worthy of consideration by genealogists specialising in the history of royal families.