Why did Matilda find it so difficult to take her throne?

Matilda found it difficult to take her throne primarily due to the entrenched opposition from powerful nobles who favored her cousin Stephen, who had seized the crown during the civil war known as The Anarchy. Additionally, societal norms of the time favored male rulers, making it challenging for a female claimant to gain widespread support. Her inability to secure strong alliances and military backing further complicated her efforts to assert her claim to the throne. This combination of political resistance and gender biases ultimately hindered her quest for the crown.