Eleanor, duchess of aquitaine was one of the leading personalities of the middle ages adn also one of the most controversial. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. As captured in his opening statement, sewards focus is on eleanor s public career, which he sums up as the most colourful and the stormiest of any english queen consort before or since. Is kellys eleanor of aquataine and the four kings a reissue of the 1950 book, or did she rewrite it.
Eleanor of aquitaine was one of the most powerful leaders in medieval europe. To scholars she has had the reputation of a slut and a shrew, but mile, pernoud shows her to have been a wise ruler and a great woman, in an age when women could exert a profound influence. She was perhaps the most powerful woman in 12thcentury europe. She would eventually become the queen of france, the queen of. Pernoud s premise contradicts much of what i have read elsewhere, but she goes to the primary sources and produces much material to support her thesis.
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. Regine pernoud books list of books by author regine pernoud. Oclcs webjunction has pulled together information and resources to assist library staff as they consider how to handle coronavirus. Eleanor, of aquitaine queen consort of henry ii king of england. 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. The retrial of joan of arc the evidence at the trial for her rehapilitation 1450 1456, translated by j m cohen. Eleanor of aquitaine 11221204, duchess of aquitaine in her own right and queen consort successively of france and england, was probably the most powerful woman in europe in the middle ages. Queen of the troubadours by jean markale at indigo. She was born in palencia, spain, 1188, the third daughter of alfonso viii, king of castile, and eleanor. Eleanor of aquitaine s legacy in 1200, as king johns ambassador to france, eleanor defended englands french territories, anjou and aquitaine, against invasions.
Inheriting a vast estate at the age of 15 made her the most soughtafter bride of her generation. Proud daughter of a distinguished french dynasty, she married the king of france, louis vii, then the king of england, henry ii, and gave birth to two sons who rose to take the english thronerichard the lionheart and john. Eleanor of aquitaine and henry ii of england by maidensandmanuscripts on october 22, 2019 2. Oct 23, 2016 thank you for a most interesting article. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine 24 books. Eleanor of aquitaine simple english wikipedia, the free. She is an icon who has fascinated readers for over eight hundred years. 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. Her second marriage, which brought southwestern france to the english king, affected the relations of france and england for almost 300 years. Eleanor mostly developed her passion for poetry and writing there, as she grew up with a big fond of it.
She inherited the vast duchy of aquitaine and poitiers from her father william x in 17, when she was 15, and she married louis vii of france on sunday 25th. Eleanor of aquitaines extraordinary life seems more likely to be found in the pages of fiction. 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. These books about eleanor of aquitaine are historicallyaccurate testaments to this strongwilled woman of the middle ages.
We found 27 books set in aquitaine and 23 others set nearby. Its seldom that one will read of a more tumultuous life that that of alienor d aquitaine, eleanor of aquitaine in english it spanned nearly all of the the 12th century 1122 until her death in her 83rd year in 1204. 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. If one or more works are by a distinct, homonymous authors, go ahead and split the author. 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. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen, consort of henry ii, king of. She accompanied him on crusade to the holy land, with a company of 300 women. 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 of aquitaine, courtly love and the troubadours. 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.
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. This is one of the most intelligent and academically sound nonfiction books ive ever encountered, yet it reads with the movement, presence and passion of fiction. Amy kellys eleanor of aquitaine and the four kings is thoroughly engaging an exceptionally complete work on. I have read many books on eleanor of the aquitaine, including eleanor of the aquitaine and the four kings this article rather debunks some of what was written there. Eleanor was an important patron of poets and writers. Eleanor of aquitaine article about eleanor of aquitaine by. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen, consort of henry ii, king of england 1122. While henry battles their enemies and lays his plans, eleanor is an adept acting ruler and mother to their growing brood of children.
Duchess of aquitaine in her own right, she would go onto become queenconsort of france and later queen of england. Eleanor, of acquitaine queen consort of henry ii king of england. 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. Eleanor of aquitaine peoplecharacters librarything. 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. Achievements eleanor of aquitaine and king henry ii. May 04, 2008 eleanor of aquitaine was duchess of aquitaine a substantial area of what is now france in her own right, and as such a major matrimonial prize. Eleanor was the daughter and heiress of william x, duke of.
Pernoud was born at chateau chinon, which eleanor and henry ii knew well. Reliable information about the coronavirus covid19 is available from the world health organization current situation, international travel. 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. By herself and her witnesses, and jeanne darc, and more on. William x held one of the largest domains in franceeven larger than that held by the king of france himself. Eleanor and her court were also responsible for the development of courtly love, ideals and etiquette governing the courtship of knights and ladies, which. She was beautiful, intelligent and wilful, and in her lifetime there were rumours about her that were not without substan. Blanche of castile by pernoud, regine and a great selection of related books. Eleanor of aquitaine 171152 was one of the most powerful and influential figures of the middle ages.
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. 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. Numerous and frequentlyupdated resource results are available from this search. Her home in the south of what is today france gave greater property rights to daughters and wives, property rights that eleanor knew how to manipulate. Why we should not forget the medieval era when searching for our most powerful queens. Eleaner is probably most familiar to lovers of robin hood and ivanhoc, for her ten children included richard the lionhearted and the wicked king john. She was sole heiress to the largest, wealthiest region of what is now france. Eleanor of aquitaine by alison weir overdrive rakuten. 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. Sep 26, 2011 eleanor of aquitaine obit 1204 was a powerful and self confident woman living in an age when women were supposed to be anything but. Eleanor of aquitaine by regine pernoud first edition. Eleanor ramnulfid of aquitaine, born circa 1122, was a pretty, wealthy teenager when she married her first husband.
She was married first to king louis vii of france, with whom she had two daughters. It can now be seen on permanent display in the louvre, the museum having acquired the piece in 1793 after the french revolution. From 1185, eleanor became more active in the ruling of aquitaine. 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. She had a younger sister called petronilla of aquitaine. Dec 04, 2015 duchess eleanor of aquitaine, queen consort of france, queen consort of england duration. See all books authored by regine pernoud, including joan of arc. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 april 1, 1204 was a medieval firebrand, and no question about it. She acted as regent twice during the reign of her son, louis ix. Eleanor of aquitaine was born in 1122, either at bordeaux or at the nearby castle of belin. Eleanor of aquitaine and the four kings by amy kelly who provides an excellent lifeandtimes approach, and eleanor of aquitaine by marion meade who gives a feminist interpretation. Regine pernoud, gives the reader a refreshingly original perspective on many subjects, both historical from the inquisition and witchcraft trials to a comparison of gothic and renaissance creative inspiration as well as. Eleanor of aquitaine and the four kings by amy kelly. Henry ii died in 1189 and richard, thought to be eleanor s favorite among her sons, became king.
Eleanor of aquitaine by translated by peter wiles regine. Regine pernoud may have written the best modern historical biography of eleanor of aquitaine. She was the sixth child and second daughter of henry ii, king of england, and eleanor of aquitaine. Eleanors story has been retold and remade many times. Hardcover regine pernoud may have written the best modern historical biography of eleanor of aquitaine. Regine pernoud biography regine pernoud biography and list of works regine pernoud books regine pernoud biography regine pernoud biography and list of works regine pernoud books. Regine pernoud, gives the reader a refreshingly original perspective on many subjects, both historical from the inquisition and witchcraft trials to a comparison of gothic and renaissance creative inspiration as well as eminently modern from law. Front and back pastedowns have family tree of eleanor of aquitaine. The castle at chinon served as a treasury for henry, who died there, and for the couples son, richard the lionheart. Learn more about eleanor of aquitaine in this article.
As daughter of the duke of aquitaine, eleanor was one of the besteducated women. Eleanor of aquitaine great king historical images ex libris author baseball cards reading books painting. Eleanor of aquitaine is remembered for being herself. Over 800 years have passed since eleanor of aquitaine s death and yet she continues to fascinate us. She spent her later years advancing the interests of the former as he led the third crusade, and trying to stop the latter from wreaking the plantagenet domain she had helped her second husband, henry ii, to consolidate in england and western. Pernoud writes about the middle ages when men were men and women werewell if not in charge pretty darn close to being so. 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 by regine pernoud hardcover 1967. Free shipping and pickup in store on eligible orders. From 11891204 eleanor of aquitaine also was active as a ruler in poitou and gascony. Eleanors lovers beachcombings bizarre history blog. 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. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen consort of france and england.
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