Eleanor of Aquitaine
At a glance:
- Series: Dictionary of World Biography: Middle Ages
- Categories: Government and Politics, Women’s Issues, Royalty, Rulers, Nobility
- Subcategories: Politicians, Diplomats, Christianity, Christians, Churches, Kings, Queens, Kingdoms, Monarchy, Crusades
- Curriculum: Women’s History, British History, Medieval History/Middle Ages, French History
Article abstract: As Queen of France, Queen of England, and mother to two English kings, Eleanor of Aquitaine was probably the most powerful woman of her time. In addition, she promoted the literary and social style of courtly love and the troubadours.
Early Life
The first important influence on Eleanor’s childhood was William IX, her grandfather. He was the earliest troubadour known by name and ruled Aquitaine and Poitou from 1086 to 1127. Though he was known for a scandalous private life and his defiance of the Church, he maintained control over his...
[The entire page is 2658 words long]
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