Henry plantagenet 131189 wikitree free family tree. On henrys death at the castle in 1189, chinon first passed to his eldest surviving son from his marriage with eleanor of aquitaine, richard i the lionheart. Eleanor of teresting historical figure, i have a fascinating book about her life eleanor of aquitaine. 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. 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. From 11891204 eleanor of aquitaine also was active as a ruler in poitou and gascony.
Facts and stories about eleanor of aquitaine live as. Henry 1155 1183 the young king married margaret of france betrothed november 2, 1160, married august 27, 1172. When it was all said and done, she held the titles of duchess of normandy, duchess of aquitaine, countess of anjou, countess of poitou. She was born in 1122 on bordeaux in the country of aquitaine eleanor of aquitaine born. In the twelfth century there was no concept of nationhood or patriotism, and subjects owed loyalty to their ruler, rather than the state. Western civilization was feeling the need for a reassessment, a redefinition of some of its basic principles regarding the nature of man, his place and function in creation, his social organization and responsibilities, his proper conduct in all. Eleanor of aquitaine was the wife of two kings, louis vii of france and henry ii. She later became queen of france, divorced her husband, and then became queen of england a short few months later. Heiress to the rich french provinces of aquitaine and poitou, she was undoubtedly one of medieval europes most powerful and wealthy women.
The vase was given to eleanors grandfather, duke william ix of aquitaine, by a muslim ally. By student laura bright a first look eleanor was a french duchess. Her sons were kings of england and her daughters queens of castile and sicily, while her later descendants. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 april 1, 1204 was a medieval firebrand, and no question about it. Jun 14, 2017 in her fascinating book on eleanor, alison weir describes how eleanor left paris as soon as her marriage was terminated, and rushed to aquitaine with an entourage of soldiers, pursued by several counts who wanted to force her into marriage, thereby acquiring her vast territory and wealth. 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. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen, consort of henry ii, king of. Pernoud was born at chateau chinon, which eleanor and henry ii knew well. Eleanor of aquitaine alison weir this book is dedicated with heartfelt thanks to my agent, julian alexander and to jill black who has edited so many of my books. This posts title refers to eleanor of aquitaine, who was duchess of that same region in southwestern france in the 11th century, and wife of king henry ii plantagenet of england, for a time.
Apr 29, 2015 great grandma eleanor of aquitaine by mark and peggy april 29, 2015 aquitaine eleanor of aquitaine fontevraud abbey king richard little did i know that in 2003 that i would be visiting the last resting place of my 24th greatgrandmother, eleanor of aquitaine. James goldman it is christmas 1183, and henry ii of england and eleanor of aquitaine are together in the castle at chinon. Weirs book reads almost like a novel, and she delves into the source material to come to. Recent research indicates that it was made for eleanor of aquitaine, the most powerful woman in twelfthcentury europe. A renowned beauty, with a headstrong, spirited personality, she has been compared to cleopatra, the celebrated egyptian queen, elizabeth i of. According to john of salisbury, raoul was always dominated by lust and decided to divorce his wife, who was the sister of count theobald of champagne. Sharon kay penman born august, 1945 is an american historical novelist, published in the uk as sharon penman. Eleanor of aquitaine lies between her son richard i and her second husband, henry ii, both kings of england. Finding english history in the loire valley plantagenets. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Little did i know that in 2003 that i would be visiting the last resting place of my 24th greatgrandmother, eleanor of aquitaine.
Eleanor of aquitaine 11241204 is the most famous queen in all the middle ages and one of the most infamous women in history. She is already famous throughout christendom for her beauty, her fabulous wealth, and her unhappy marriage to the king of france. Jean plaidy s novel the courts of love, fifth in the queens of england series, is a fictionalised autobiography of eleanor of aquitaine. Fontevrault abby, burial place of eleanor of aquitaine. 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. A life alison weir 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. Regine pernoud may have written the best modern historical biography of eleanor of aquitaine. With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal and intrigue, she recreates not only a remarkable. On richards death in 1199, it then passed to the youngest of their children, john lackland. Eleanor of aquitaine reads like a really upmarket historical novel and that is a compliment. Could it be possible that eleanor was truly a woman. So, eleanor of aquitaine was a medieval badass, in case you. A life i was able to sate my eagerness to know what kind of life this woman, that was the duchess of aquitaine in her own right and queen of both france and england, lived. On 18 may 1152, henry married eleanor of aquitaine, divorced from louis vii, king of france.
It is more likely that she had red or auburn hair since a mural in the church of sainte radegonde in chinon which almost certainly depicts eleanor and was painted during her lifetime in a region in which she was well known, shows a woman with reddishbrown hair. Henry and margaret shared two older halfsisters, marie and alix. She lies serenely in company with her husband henry ii in fontevraud abbey near chinon in the loire valley. It has an interesting history which they try to bring to life using modern technology, which is a bit hit and miss, some work, some dont, some go on too long and cant hold your attention, others are projected over a chimney which makes it really.
She was perhaps the most powerful woman in 12thcentury europe. Alison weir in eleanor of aquitaine, by the wrath of god queen of england. This rock crystal vase is the only known artefact that survives today that is associated with eleanor of aquitaine. Henry ii, king of england henry ii established the house of plantagenet. And in twelfth century western europe, shes the woman to be. The 12 th century marked a major shift in the course of western history. Read eleanor of aquitaine patron and politician by available from rakuten kobo. 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. Chapter 1 opulent aquitaine eleanor of aquitaine was born into a europe dominated by feudalism. 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. 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.
These books about eleanor of aquitaine are historicallyaccurate testaments to this strongwilled woman of the middle ages. Literary interpretations of eleanor pace university. 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. Ive been curious about the historical figure of eleanor of aquitaine for a long time. Alison weir is the new york times bestselling author of numerous historical biographies, including queens of the conquest, the lost tudor princess, elizabeth of york, mary boleyn, the lady in the tower, mistress of the monarchy, henry viii, eleanor of aquitaine, the life of elizabeth i, and the six wives of henry viii. Meades sounds interesting, almost gossipy like her book on jazz age women. He was buried at, abbey of fontevraud, in normandy. Born to matilda during a turbulent period, his mother was swept aside while stephen seized the throne. Henry ii died in 1189 and richard, thought to be eleanors favorite among her sons, became king. Eleanor of aquitaine is considered by many to have been the most powerful and enlightened woman of her age, if not the entire medieval epoch. It was only after he married the most powerful woman in europe, eleanor duchess of aquitaine and exconsort of louis xii that he was able to take the crown. 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.
As the book reaches its last act, the most important character of the trilogy is finally introduced. Is kellys eleanor of aquataine and the four kings a reissue of the 1950 book, or did she rewrite it. 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. 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. Marion meade has told the story of eleanor, wild, devious, from a thoroughly historical but different point of view. Her father was louis vii of france, eleanor of aquitaines first husband, and her mother was louis second wife, constance of castile. She ostensibly chronicles the life of eleanor, though the book also provides a tableau of 12thcentury europe.
Learn more about eleanor of aquitaine in this article. There have been plenty of books written about eleanor, but my favorite one ive read recently is eleanor of aquitaine. In my novel, i hope to bring eleanors world and her voice to life with a blend of scholarship and imagination. Eleanor of aquitaine by alison weir, paperback barnes. Eleanor of aquitaine also upset pope innocent ii when she and her husband supported her sixteenyearold sister, petronilla, when she embarked on an affair with count raoul of vermandois.
The next 15 years of eleanors life were split between england, normandy and her beloved aquitaine. She is best known for the welsh princes trilogy and the plantagenet series. The author of six previous books about english history, alison weir tackles familiar territory with eleanor of aquitaine. Eleanor of aquitaine ebook by 9781477300244 rakuten kobo. By the wrath of god, queen of england by weir, alison isbn. She was born in 1122 on bordeaux in the country of aquitaine,1 having for a father the future duke of aquitaine, william x, and her mother aenor of chatellerault. 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. 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. A duchess, queen of france, queen of england, and queen mother all rolled into one.
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. In addition, she has written four medieval mysteries, the first of which, the queens man, was a finalist in 1996 for the best first mystery edgar award. Twelfth century folk did not jot down every passing thought. September 6, 2017 moniek catherine of france, eleanor of aquitaine, isabella of angouleme, marie of anjou, places to visit, radegonde of france, the royal women 0. It is a proper fortress overlooking the town, it isnt a renaissance chateau like many in the loire. One of marion meades problems, as she freely admits, was lack of sources. Great grandma eleanor of aquitaine sierraridges blog. Apr 05, 2019 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. Her sons were kings of england and her daughters queens of. So, eleanor of aquitaine was a medieval badass, in case. She was an important factor in the reign of four kings, lived to the ripe old age of 82, bore 10 children and outlived all but two of them. Our visit was part of effort to see places of historical importance and. 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. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine 24 books.
The character queen elinor appears in william shakespeare s the life and death of king john, with other members of the family. Eleanor of aquitaine is remembered for being herself. Henry ii, eleanor of aquitaine and richard the lionhearted spent most of their time in france. Facts and stories about eleanor of aquitaine live as free. Europe fontevrault abby, burial place of eleanor of aquitaine my husband and i are both very interested in medievalmostly english. Living the history eleanor of aquitaines appearance or. The castle at chinon served as a treasury for henry, who died there, and for the couples son, richard the lionheart. From 1185, eleanor became more active in the ruling of aquitaine. 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. Eleanor of aquitaine became the queen of both france and england, the wife of two kings, and later the mother of two kings. I have always known i would write a book on eleanor of aquitaine.
The name eleanor of aquitaine lets us in on a little secrete because its more than her name. In this beautifully written biography, alison weir paints a vibrant portrait of a truly exceptional woman and provides new insights into her intimate world. Opulent aquitaine eleanor of aquitaine was born into a europe dominated by feudalism. A renowned beauty, with a headstrong, spirited personality, she has been compared to cleopatra, the celebrated egyptian queen, elizabeth i of england and many others.