Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 1 april 1204 was queen consort of france 17 1152 and. Eleanor s influence on the course of history is nearly unparalleled for a woman of her time. Eleanor of aquitaine became the queen of both france and england, the wife of two kings, and later the mother of two kings. Thirteen of the worst breakups in history by jennifer wright plus free read feminist books pen. One of marion meades problems, as she freely admits, was lack of sources. At a time when women were regarded as little more than chattel, eleanor managed to defy convention as she exercised power in the political sphere and crucial influence over her husbands and sons. This accusation is not firmly grounded on facts, however. Eleanor of aquitaine by alison weir overdrive rakuten. Alison weir brought her to life and as well as telling her story, she explained how her life as a woman was then in medieval society to how women are treated in todays society. Born in the 12th century, she married louis vii of france, divorced him and married henry ii king of england.
Alison weirs book on the life of eleanor of aquitaine is a good read. Jean plaidys novel the courts of love, fifth in the queens of england series, is a fictionalised autobiography of eleanor of aquitaine. Meades sounds interesting, almost gossipy like her book on jazz age women. Her bestselling history books include the six wives of henry viii, eleanor of. She was married first to the french king louis vii and then to the english king henry ii, a marriage that produced the two english kings richard the lionheart and john. Eleanor henry eleanor of aquitaine medieval books the eleven queen of england kaiser interesting history literature southern france. Dive deep into desmond sewards biography of eleanor of aquitaine with a summary, extended analysis, commentary, and discussion. In fact, about the best thing that historians are prepared to say about eleanors maternal. She had eleven children with her husband, alfonso viii of castile, and many of them had numerous descendants. The first 1 10 of the book and the last 2 10 of the book are about eleanor. Remote work advice from the largest allremote company. The eleanor that emerges from this book might to be as bold a character as you may expect, but she is much more human.
Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 april 1, 1204 was a medieval firebrand, and no question about it. The next 15 years of eleanors life were split between england, normandy and her beloved aquitaine. Eleanor of aquitaine was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in europe during twelfth century ad who served as both queen of france and queen of england through her two marriages. A wife divorced by louis for barrenness, who bore at least 10 children. In keeping with our theme of medieval british queens, lets look into the life of eleanor of aquitaine.
Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 1 april 1204 was queen consort of france 171152 and. Thanks to a vast inheritance, she became one of the most powerful and wealthy women in 12th century europe. She has also written biographies of woody allen, buster keaton, eleanor of aquitaine, victoria woodhull, and madame blavatsky, as well as two novels about medieval france. A very good book on eleanor and i will read weirs other books as a result. Her place at the centre of european history at the time isnt. Eleanor of aquitaine, also known as eleanor of guyenne, was born in 1122 to william. In 1200, as king johns ambassador to france, eleanor defended englands french territories, anjou and aquitaine, against invasions. I love all things welsh, english, medieval, preraphaelite, and would. Eleanor of aquitaine is a fascinating and remarkable woman who lived in the medieval ages. Eleanor of aquitaine simple english wikipedia, the free. She was born in 1122, the eldest daughter of william, the duke of aquitaine. It can now be seen on permanent display in the louvre, the museum having acquired the piece in 1793 after the french revolution. She brought the province of aquitaine to england when she married henry ii of england.
Eleanor of aquitaine 11221204 queen consort of louis vii of france, queen consort of henry ii of england, mother of king richard i of england and king john of england. Apr 27, 2009 we use your linkedin profile and activity data to personalize ads and to show you more relevant ads. While her children and husbands lead interesting lives, i purchased a book claiming to be about the renowned eleanor of aquitaine. Facts and stories about eleanor of aquitaine posted on april 5, 2019 by james malcolm living eighty years, she was the wife of the king of france when she was thirteen, then at twentyeight wife of the king of england, and mother of three english kings. You will learn about eleanor of aquitaine like never before. Eleanor of aquitaine, also known as eleanor of guyenne, was born in 1122 to william, duke of aquitaine and count of poitiers. Eleanor had five sons and was often branded a bad mother because of the behavior of three of them but she also had five daughters and her relationship with them is but seldom addressed, let alone taken into. Fixed in many french imaginations as a reverse image of joan of arc, eleanor of aquitaine still fascinates and puzzles historians of today, who, for many reasons which this book will try to clarify, still seek to penetrate the mystery surrounding her.
From 1185, eleanor became more active in the ruling of aquitaine. Eleanor lived to the ripe old age of 82, outlived 8 of her 10 children, and saw two of her sons. If eleanor of aquitaine was alive today, she would forever be on the front pages of national newspapers and magazines and no doubt constantly trending on twitter. Some theories have henrys affair with rosamund starting around 1165, the first christmas that henry spent apart from his queen, eleanor of aquitaine. Eleanor of aquitaine reads like a really upmarket historical novel and that is a compliment. Eleanor of aquitaine my favorite of alison weirs books. Again in 1202, eleanor defended englands foreign territories and. While in many aristocratic families, this would be. Here are 43 unveiled facts about the eleanor of aquitaine. Heiress to the rich french provinces of aquitaine and poitou, she was undoubtedly one of medieval europes most powerful and wealthy women. Eleanor s a fascinating figure, and makes a great character in historical fiction, but its damned hard to write a biography about her. A biography women in history new ed by meade, marion isbn.
Eleanor of aquitaine accomplishments eleanor of aquitaine. Polly schroyer brooks, the author of a nonacademic biography of eleanor, suggests that the. So what do we need to know about this remarkable woman. Eleanor of aquitaine was born in 1122 in the politically significant region of aquitaine of medieval france to a family of the ruling class that had produced no male heir. Henry ii died in 1189 and richard, thought to be eleanor s favorite among her sons, became king. She had such a fascinating life and was involved in so many major events that she appears in a vast number of tales in both movies and books. Louis and eleanor were married in july 17, but had little time to get to know one another before louis father the. Eleanor, duchess of aquitaine, queen of france and then of england, mother of richard i and king john. She was the wife and mother of kings and a dominant political force in the europe of her time. A timeline chronology of the life of eleanor of aquitaine, wife of louis vi of france and king henry ii of england, mother of king richard i and king john. As if being the queen of both france and england wasnt enough, she also led a crusade to the holy land.
By the wrath of god, queen of england alison weir isbn. As a member of the ramnulfids house of poitiers rulers in southwestern france, she was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in western europe during the high middle ages. She had a younger sister called petronilla of aquitaine. Read eleanor of aquitaine patron and politician by available from rakuten kobo. The other 7 10 is about her husbands, her children and speculation surrounding her and her family. Mar 28, 2020 eleanor of aquitaine, queen consort of both louis vii of france 1752 and henry ii of england 11521204 and mother of richard i the lionheart and john of england. Louis and eleanor were married in july 17, but had little time to get to know one another before louis father the king fell ill and died. These books about eleanor of aquitaine are historicallyaccurate testaments to this strongwilled woman of the middle ages.
Read it when we were in eleanor s aquitaine southwestern france and it seemed magical. In an age known largely for the exploits of kings, princes, dukes, and their warriors, eleanor of aquitaine stood out as one of the most remarkable of women. The relationship between henry and eleanor of aquitaine became difficult due to her support on their son henry against his father. Eleanor of aquitaine ever since i read a biography of her when i was 10 years old. After richard died eleanor s other son john became king of england. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine 24 books. So she has used a lot of imagination but as the story of a truly remarkable woman, it works. Young eleanor of aquitaine was europes most eligible bachelorette. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Eleanor of aquitaine was one of the most powerful leaders in medieval europe. Eleanor went against her husband, henry, because she wanted to rule aquitaine all by herself with her oldest son, richard. Eleanor of aquitaine about 1122 april 1, 1204 was one of the most powerful people of the middle ages and the richest and most powerful woman in europe during her lifetime. Eleanor of aquitaine ebook by 9781477300244 rakuten kobo.
Eleanor of aquitaine depicted in a 12thcentury prayer book. Dedicated to my new biography of eleanor of aquitaine now out. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen of france and england home. Oct, 2017 eleanor, queen of castile, was the sixth child of eleanor of aquitaine in her second marriage. Eleanor of aquitaine was a major figure in the middle ages and a prominent figure in womens history. Eleanor of aquitaine is remembered for being herself. Eleanor was the daughter of the duke of aquitaine, the largest and richest province of france. Eleanor of aquitaine lived a long life of many contrasts, of splendor and desolation, power and peril, and in this stunning narrative, weir captures the woman and the queenin all her glory. The eldest daughter of william, duke of aquitaine, eleanor was married to louis vii, king of france.
As delicately textured as a 12thcentury tapestry, royal biographer weirs the life of elizabeth i, etc. Eleanor of aquitaine lived a long life of many contrasts, of splendor and desolation, power and peril, and in this stunning narrative, weir captures the womanand the queenin all her glory. Marion meade has told the story of eleanor, wild, devious, from a thoroughly historical but different point of view. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Eleanor of aquitaine eleanore of aquitaine was the most admired woman of the medieval era for countless reasons. See more ideas about eleanor of aquitaine, aquitaine and history. She was married to louis vii of france shortly after the death of her father in april 17. By connecting it to known facts of her contemporaries henry ii, richard, john et al. She was the wife of two kings and mother of three kings and she went.
The one person who matches every one of these traits was a duchess of the aquitaine, wife of two kings, mother of two others, and though not at the same time queen of both france and england. Renowned in her time for being the most beautiful woman in europe, the wife of two kings and mother of three, eleanor of aquitaine was one of the great heroines of the middle ages. Eleanor was the daughter and heiress of william x, duke of aquitaine and count of poitiers, who possessed one of the largest domains in francelarger, in fact, than those held by the french king. This is inevitable, however, owing to scant records on this former queen of england and queen of france. A history of eleanor of aquitaine british heritage. Learn more about eleanor of aquitaine in this article. Eleanors a fascinating figure, and makes a great character in historical fiction, but its damned hard to write a biography about her. She was beautiful, intelligent and wilful, and in her lifetime there were rumours about her that were not without substan. She was queen of france and then queen of england, the mother of two kings, and an active participant in european politics into her eighties.
Though the exact year and place of birth is unknown, it is speculated that she was born on either 1122 or 1124 in poitiers, bordeaux, or nieulsurlautise. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. During this time she produced another seven children, acted as regent when henry was away from england and played an active part in political negotiations. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 1 april 1204 was queen consort of france 171152 and england 11541189 and duchess of aquitaine in her own right 171204. Eleanor found that she was expected to be no more than a decorative asset to her husband, the mother of his heirs and the arbiter of good taste and modesty. Eleanor of aquitaine was the wife of two kings, louis vii of france and henry ii plantagenet of england, and the mother. From 11891204 eleanor of aquitaine also was active as a ruler in poitou and gascony. Eleanor s son, richard, went on the third crusade and died by cause of an arrow being shot to his shoulder. Published by ballantine books, a division of random house, inc. Eleanor held her christmas court at angers while henry was at. Eleanor of aquitaine has to be on your list, perhaps in the first or second postion.
With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal and intrigue, she recreates not only a remarkable. Know about her childhood, family, life, marriages, accomplishments and death through these 10 facts. Not quite 5 stars as sometimes the passion fell a little flat, but easy to read and full of facts and immense research. Finally, in conclusion, an overarching assessment of eleanor of aquitaines historical significance will be presented. Eleanor, duchess of aquitaine was one of the leading personalities of the middle ages adn also one of the most controversial. Her second marriage, which brought southwestern france to the english king, affected the relations of france and england for almost 300 years. Is kellys eleanor of aquataine and the four kings a reissue of the 1950 book, or did she rewrite it. As daughter of the duke of aquitaine, eleanor was one of the besteducated women. Queen consort of both louis vii of france and henry ii of england, she was also mother to richard the lionheart and john of england. Eleanors story has been retold and remade many times. Eleanor of aquitaine was one of the most important figures of the medieval era. Her brother, the heir, died in 1 and thus eleanor became her fathers heir. If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself.
The life and legacy of medieval europes most famous queen attempts to provide an unbiased look at eleanor s life by exploring the achievements and trials of the duchessqueen and deconstructing the black legends and other compelling tales that continue to envelop her to this day. The object is known to have belonged to eleanor of aquitaine, who, having inherited it from her grandfather, william ix, gave it as a wedding gift to her first husband, louis vii of france. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. Upon williams death in 17 she inherited the duchy of aquitaine and in july 17 married the heir to the french throne, who succeeded his father, louis vi, the following month. For this was a woman who enjoyed incredible power, good looks and amazing wealth. Mar 12, 2002 the book of eleanor gives the reader an indepth understanding of what challenges a woman had to surmount before she could achieve she was apparently much disliked in her time ruthless, cold and calculating. A life court life for a queen of france at that time was, however, stultifyingly routine. Eleanor, was born to eleanor of aquitaine and henry ii. A drawing of what eleanor of aquitaine might have looked like circa 1150. A life ballantine readers circle paperback april 3, 2001. Eleanor of aquitaine audiobook by charles river editors. She was perhaps the most powerful woman in 12thcentury europe. Finished it in about 2 weeks with on and off sittings.
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