Fun facts about this Founding Father
Eleanor of Aquitaine's early life was marked by extraordinary wealth and influence. Born in 1122, she became the heiress to the vast Duchy of Aquitaine after her father's sudden death. At a young age, Eleanor was married to King Louis VII of France, a union that initially seemed to promise political strength but ultimately led to tension and disappointment. Her marriage to Louis, full of both personal and political struggles, would set the stage for one of the most costly divorces in history.
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Eleanor was the daughter of William X, Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitiers. When he died in 1137, she inherited one of the largest domains in France, overshadowing the king's possessions.
At just 15, Eleanor was placed under the protection of the French king, Louis IV (pictured). To secure her position, she was swiftly betrothed to his son, Louis VII, the heir to the throne.
To ensure Eleanor's safe journey to Paris, the king sent 500 men to bring her to the royal court, where she would begin her life as the future queen of France.
Louis VII had been raised in a monastery, expecting a life of piety. His world changed when his older brother died, forcing him into the role of heir and later king.
Louis and Eleanor married in 1137, but his monastic upbringing affected their relationship. After the initial excitement faded, he rarely visited her bedchamber, which frustrated Eleanor.
Allegedly, Eleanor once remarked, "I thought I was wed to a king; now I find I am wed to a monk." Their marriage lacked passion, and her unhappiness grew.
Louis VII desperately wanted a male heir, as under Salic law, women couldn't inherit the throne. Despite Eleanor having borne him two daughters, his need for a son outweighed everything, and he was willing to part with her in the hope of securing one.
Eleanor's vast lands and riches came from her inheritance. Letting her go meant losing these valuable territories, but Louis was ready to make that sacrifice for the hope of a son.
Louis began to see their lack of a son as a sign from God that their union was wrong. Their close blood relation (third cousins once removed) further justified his doubts.
The church court ruled that Louis and Eleanor were too closely related, making their marriage invalid. On March 21, 1152, their marriage was annulled on the grounds of consanguinity.
With the annulment, Eleanor regained control of Aquitaine. Her vast territories were once again hers alone, making her a highly desirable match for ambitious rulers.
The annulment cost Louis dearly, as he lost Eleanor’s immense wealth and land. No other divorce in history had come with such a significant territorial loss.
Eleanor, known for her flirtatious nature, didn't remain single for long. Rumors swirled about an affair with her uncle, Raymond, Prince of Antioch, but her sights were set elsewhere.
Only two months after her annulment, Eleanor married Henry Plantagenet, grandson of Henry I of England. With this union, she secured a powerful and ambitious partner.
Henry Plantagenet held the titles of Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy. In 1154, he became King Henry II of England, uniting England, Normandy, and western France under his rule.
Eleanor became Queen of England, now sharing power with Henry II. While she found happiness in her new marriage, her former husband, Louis VII, sought a new wife.
In the same year Henry II was crowned, Louis VII married Constance of Castile. However, she bore him two daughters before dying in childbirth in 1160.
Desperate for a son, Louis VII quickly married Adela of Champagne. This time, he was finally granted his wish: a son, Philip Augustus, who became King of France in 1180.
Louis VII suffered from poor health, which prevented him from attending Philip's coronation. His luck remained as unfortunate in old age as it had been in youth.
Eleanor gave birth to eight children over 13 years, five sons and three daughters. Three of her sons would go on to become kings, shaping European history.
One of Eleanor's sons, Henry the Young King, grew restless for power. In a bid for independence, he led a revolt against his father, drawing Eleanor into his rebellion.
The revolt failed. Furious at her role, King Henry II placed Eleanor under house arrest. She remained confined in various castles for 16 years as punishment.
Eleanor’s imprisonment ended in 1189 when Henry II died. Her son Richard, known as Richard the Lionheart, ascended to the throne, granting her freedom once more.
While Richard embarked on the Crusades, Eleanor ruled as regent in his absence. She wielded immense influence, proving her capability as a ruler in her own right.
In 1202, Eleanor retired from public life and took refuge at Fontevraud Abbey in France. She chose to live her final years in quiet devotion.
Eleanor lived an extraordinary 82 years, a rare feat for the time. Her long life allowed her to witness the reigns of multiple kings she had helped shape.
Eleanor passed away in 1204 at Fontevraud Abbey. She was buried there, alongside her husband Henry II and son Richard the Lionheart, leaving behind a powerful legacy.
Eleanor of Aquitaine's story is one of power, resilience, and influence. She shaped medieval Europe, proving that even in a male-dominated world, a woman could reign supreme
Eleanor of Aquitaine has been a captivating figure in fiction and art, portrayed by Katharine Hepburn in the film 'The Lion in Winter' (1968) and depicted in novels like 'The Queen's Fool' (2003) by Philippa Gregory.
Sources: (History) (Britannica) (History Hit) (On This Day)
See also: The weirdest royals throughout history
The royal divorce that became the most expensive in history
This is the story of Eleanor of Aquitaine
LIFESTYLE History
Eleanor of Aquitaine's early life was marked by extraordinary wealth and influence. Born in 1122, she became the heiress to the vast Duchy of Aquitaine after her father's sudden death. At a young age, Eleanor was married to King Louis VII of France, a union that initially seemed to promise political strength but ultimately led to tension and disappointment. Her marriage to Louis, full of both personal and political struggles, would set the stage for one of the most costly divorces in history.
Click on for the full story.