Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine was the Duchess of Aquitaine and Gascony. She was also the Countess of Poitou. During the high middle ages Eleanor was one of the wealthiest and powerful women in Europe. Eleanor was also the Queen consort of two kings, Louis VII of France and Henry II of England.Eleanor was also the mother of two kings of England, Richard I and John. She was most famous for her participation in the second crusade.

At age fifteen, Eleanor's father died and his duchy was left to her. His duchy included most of Southern France. Shortly after, Eleanor married the son (Louis)
of the French king. The king of France died and Louis became king.

Eleanor went on the second crusade along with Louis. Eleanor had two children with Louis, both of which were girls. Soon after the birth of there second daughter their marriage was annulled(after 15 years of marriage). Eleanor then met Henry, who by this time, was the king of France. Henry was 10 years younger than Eleanor.

Eleanor and Henry had eight children together. Two of which, Richard I and John, grow up to become kings of England. Eleanor became very jealous of her husband and supported her sons militarily in a revolt against him. the revolt failed and she was put in prison. She remained in prison for about sixteen years, until her husband's death.

Richard took the throne in 1189 and ordered his mother be released from prison. Richard then placed her at the head of the government. She then returned to Aquitaine and became the abbess of a convent there. She died in Aquitaine in 1204. She goes down in history as one of the greatest female sovereigns.

McKitterick, Rosamond. Times Medieval World. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.

Guy, John. Medieval Life. London: Ticktock Media Limited, 2001.