ELEANOR OF AQUITANE

EARLY LIFE

• Born in southern France around the year 1122
• Educated by her father
• became her father’s heir at age 5
• Inherited father's title and lands at age 15
• Placed under guardianship of king of France

EARLY LIFE

• 3 months later she married the heir to the French throne, Louis.
• king sent an escort of 500 men to tell the news to Eleanor and transport her to her new home.

AS QUEEN OF FRANCE 1137-1152

• Immediately after wedding, they became Duke and Duchess of Aquitane
• Land would remain independent of France
• Until son became both King of France and Duke of Aquitaine
• King Louis and Eleanor were crowned on Christmas 1137 (for France)
• Louis started war with Count Theobald because of Eleanor. Lasted 2 yrs.

QUEEN OF ENGLAND 1154-1189

• Married king Henry II
• After annulment, she and King Henry got married
• Mary, Eleanor's daughter, was to be married but canceled because they were cousins
• October 25, 1154. Henry becomes king of England with Eleanor as his queen
• Eleanor gave birth to 5 boys and 3 girls

IMPRISONMENT

• Son fled to France to plot against father
• ELeanor was rumored to support her son
• Was arrested and imprisoned for treason
• Spent 16 years in captivity

IMPRISONMENT

• Said to have played a role in death of husband's favorite mistress
• After many years, Young Henry died of disease and begged for Eleanors release
• Henry released her, under guard, for her to return to England in 1184

LATER IN LIFE

• Ruled as regent in Richard's name
• Retired as nun to Abbey at Fontevraud
• Died in 1204
• Nuns wrote "she was truly a queen who surpassed
• almost all the queens of the world"