In her own right she was duchess of aquitaine and countess of poitiers, ruling over a large chunk of what is now france. Learn more about eleanor of aquitaine in this article. If she conformed to 12th century europes ideal standards of feminine beautyshe must have been blond with grey or. Eleanor of aquitaine eleanor of aquitaine, courtly love. A list of eleanor of aquitaines descendants through john. Over the years, this mysterious 12thcentury figure has been portrayed in countless ways, from a valiant warrior queen and resourceful politician to a controlobsessed and manipulative siren whose only objective in life was power. 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. See more ideas about eleanor of aquitaine, aquitaine, eleanor. These books about eleanor of aquitaine are historicallyaccurate testaments to this strongwilled woman of the middle ages. Eleanor of aquitaine served as queen of both france and england in the twelfth century, making her one of the most powerful women of the time. Images like henry ii and eleanor of aquitaine, effigies. The winter crown by elizabeth chadwick, buy books at. As queen of france, she had accompanied king louis vii on the second crusade.
In 1154, eleanor of aquitaine, one of the most powerful women in europe, is crowned queen of england beside her young husband henry ii. She was queen consort of both france and england in her lifetime biography. Laying next to the tomb effigy of king henry ii in frances fontevraud abbey is a. Eleanor of aquitaine alison weir read online free books. The effigy is for none other than duchess eleanor of aquitaine. As the wife of henry ii, she led a rebellion against her husband with three of her sons in 1173 and lost. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine 24 books. She became duchess of aquitaine in her own right while she was still a child, then later queen consort of france 171152 and of england. Church of fontevraud abbey eleanor of aquitaine effigy.
A closeup of the tomb of queen eleanor of aquitaine. Mar 15, 2019 effigy of eleanor of aquitaine, fontevraud abbey, france. Cast of her tomb in the victoria and albert museum. The effigy represents an ideal image of the deceased, lying, serene and usually asleep. Eleanor, exceptionally beautiful at fifteen, had matured into a saucy, hotblooded damsel, and perhaps he her father feared that, unproperly chaperoned, she might grant excessive courtesies to some ardent knight. 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. Apr 01, 2019 one of eleanors other daughters, joan of england, queen of sicily, was also buried at her parents feet, but her effigy was destroyed in the french revolution.
Eleanor of aquitaine, page 1 read online free books archive. 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. Perhaps in the effigy eleanor is holding our psalter, as a symbol of her passing from. 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. 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. The most iconic of medieval queens eleanor of aquitaines effigy at fontrevault, france.
May 6, 2017 eleanor and the people and places in her remarkable life. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 1 april 1204 was queen consort of france 17 1152 and. Her portrail of eleanor of aquitaine, in the movie version of. The beautiful, crowned queen, depicted with a soft smile on her face, was dressed in a simple but elegant gown in white and blue, an open book in her arms. The medieval and postmedieval image of eleanor of aquitaine, he works to destroy the myths that surround the life of eleanor. Queen eleanor of aquitaine inherited the duchy of aquitaine from her father in 17. She was the patroness of such literary figures as wace.
The life and legacy of medieval europes most famous queen. She became duchess of aquitaine in her own right while she was still a child, then later queen consort of france. Living the history eleanor of aquitaines appearance or. Apr 01, 2018 eleanor of aquitaine 1122 april 1, 1204 was a medieval firebrand, and no question about it. Eleanor,of aquitaine, queen, consort of henry ii, king of england,1122. Burial place of raymond vii of toulouse, henry ii king. One the great rulers, diplomats, and minds of history. 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. Eleanor was renowned in her day as a beauty and a fashion plate, but the only real likeness we have of her is the tomb effigy at fontevrault see our main illustration above. One of the oldest manuscripts in the kb is a beautifully illustrated prayer book from the twelfth century. As the fictionalised king henry ii said in the aforementioned the lion in winter, eleanor of aquitaine was a woman out of legend. 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. The death of eleanor of aquitaine kyra cornelius kramer.
Eleanors tomb effigy in westminster abbey eleanors funeral took place in westminster abbey on 17 december 1290. This effigy is stylistically unusual, as two contemporary effigies also located in. Eleanor of aquitaine would become one of the wealthiest and most powerful women of the high middle ages. Eleanor daquitaine, queen consort of england 1122 1204.
Jean plaidys novel the courts of love, fifth in the queens of england series, is a. One of eleanors other daughters, joan of england, queen of sicily, was also buried at her parents feet, but her effigy was destroyed in the french revolution. 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. Marion meade has told the story of eleanor, wild, devious, from a thoroughly historical but different point of view. An enamelled stone effigy of eleanor of aquitaine from her tomb in the abbey of fontevrand, france. He was also the heir to the throne of england as settlement of the conflicting claims of his mother empress matilda empress maud, daughter of henry i of england, and her cousin, stephen, who had seized the throne of england at. Read duchess of aquitaine a novel of eleanor by margaret ball available from.
Before his death in 1204, eleanor of aquitaine commissioned her own effigy. The arms of england depicted in a window at the abbey show the three lions of england, though in his lifetime henry seems always to have used his two lions as count of anjou. Duchess and heiress of aquitaine and gascogne, countess of poitou. His tomb was destroyed during the french revolution. She was perhaps the most powerful woman in 12thcentury europe. For daily dose of comic book and movie silliness, click on the site that says what it does in the title. Eleanor of aquitaine is represented by a fleurdelis, repeated on the front and back of her runner, as well as in the illuminated letter e at the beginning of her name. Wheeler, a tremendous book of essays on eleanor of aquitaine and well. In the twelfth century there was no concept of nationhood or patriotism, and subjects owed loyalty to their ruler, rather than the state. One of the most powerful women of the middle ages, by the time of her death in 1204 she had been queen consort of both france and england. Her tomb effigy is decorated with magnificent jewelery she is depicted reading a book. I like the effigy because it is depicting her reading a book. 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. Eleanor and her court were also responsible for the development of courtly love, ideals and etiquette governing the courtship of knights and ladies, which became the accepted mode of behavior for the.
Remarkably, her thcentury effigy tomb survives, depicting eleanor. Tomb effigy of eleanor of aquitaine in the church of fontevraud abbey. Tomb effigies of queen eleanor of aquitaine and king henry ii of. The duke then set out for the shrine of saint james of compostela in the company. Tomb effigy of eleanor of aquitaine, fontevraud abbey, france eleanor of aquitaine is iconic. 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. Before his death in 1204, eleanor of aquitaine commissioned her own effigy, as well as those of henry ii and richard. Effigy of eleanor of aquitaine, fontevraud abbey, france. Eleanor of aquitaine audiobook by charles river editors. Deconstructing the story of eleanor of aquitaine the. 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. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 1 april 1204 was queen consort of france 171152 and. Enameled stone effigy of eleanor of aquitane from her tomb in the.
Everything you know about eleanor of aquitaine is wrong. One of the strongest and most fascinating women in history. Eleanor of aquitaine 11221204 was the greatest lady of medieval europe. As well as being duchess of aquitaine in her own right, she was queen consort of france 171152 and of england 11541189. The third son of eleanor with henry, richard i, came to be known as richard the lionheart because of his reputation as a great military leader and warrior. Eleanor was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in western europe during the high middle ages and ruled as queen consort of france and england.
A closeup of the tomb of queen eleanor of aquitaine, reading for all. Henry was the duke of normandy through his mother, empress matilda, and count of anjou through his father. Evans, lecturer in medieval history at central michigan university. Henry ii and his queen eleanor of aquitaine were both benefactors. Opulent aquitaine eleanor of aquitaine was born into a europe dominated by feudalism. Katherine hepburn was one of my ultimate favorite actresses, from hollywoods golden years. Apr 1, 2014 tomb effigies of queen eleanor of aquitaine and king henry ii of england at fontevrault abbey, france. By marriage she was also queen of france, at least for the 15 years of her union with louis vii. 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.
Her body was placed in a grave near the high altar that had originally contained the coffin of edward the confessor and, more recently, that of king henry iii until his remains were removed to his new tomb in 1290. Probably the most famous woman of the middle ages, she is the only woman to have ever worn the crowns of both england and france. Eleanor of aquitaine, duchess of aquitaine, wife of henry ii, queen of england and sometime queen of france. Jul 04, 2016 the effigy represents an ideal image of the deceased, lying, serene and usually asleep. Eleanor of aquitaines tomb effigy in fontevrault abbey, france. The fleurdelis is a symbol of france and was commonly found in the art of the middle ages.
Alison weir in eleanor of aquitaine, by the wrath of god queen of england. Enameled stone effigy of eleanor of aquitane from her tomb. Originally they including an effigy of eleanor of aquitaine by a different. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen consort of both louis vii of france and henry ii of england and mother of richard i the lionheart and john of england. 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. Eleanor of aquitaine lies between her son richard i the lionheart and her second husband, henry ii, both kings of england. I like the effigy because it is depicting her reading a book instead of just lying there like the usual effigies. Acknowledgments i should like to extend very special thanks to my editor, anthony whittome, for his creative input and his. Eleanor of aquitaine inherited her fathers lands in 17.
The goal is to leave a trace, an ideal image of oneself and of his reign. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 april 1, 1204 was a medieval firebrand, and no question about it. Today a stone effigy of the queen lies in the nave of the abbey church at fontevraud. Remarkably, her thcentury effigy tomb survives, depicting eleanor reclining on a bed, a crown upon her head and a devotional book in her hands. Richard has a second tomb in rouen cathedral where his heart is buried. In may 1152, eleanor of aquitaine married henry fitzempress. With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal and intrigue, she recreates not only a remarkable. A closeup of the tomb of queen eleanor of aquitaine, reading. 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. Recent research indicates that it was made for eleanor of aquitaine, the most powerful woman in. Today, his effigy rests in the abbey of fontevraud next to his wife eleanor of aquitaine.