Eleanor of Aquitaine: The most powerful woman of the Middle Ages and the wife of two kings

Eleanor of Aquitaine was born around 1122 in Poitiers, France, into one of the most powerful noble families of the time.

Her father was William X, Duke of Aquitaine, a prominent figure in medieval politics, and her mother, Aenor de Châtellerault, was the daughter of a notable viscount.

She received an exceptional education for a girl of her time, including learning Latin, literature, and the skills of courtly manners. 

Under her father’s tutelage, Eleanor developed a keen understanding of politics. In 1137, when she was only 15, her father died, which left her as the heiress to the Duchy of Aquitaine: one of the largest and wealthiest regions in France.

Aquitaine stretched from the Loire River in the north to the Pyrenees in the south, covering fertile lands and bustling trade centers like Bordeaux and Poitiers.  

During her tenure as duchess, Eleanor cultivated a court known for its sophistication. It attracted poets, scholars and musicians who praised her and produced works that became widely admired. 

She also instituted a range of legal and administrative reforms, through which she sought to improve the welfare of her subjects. 

Eleanor of Aquitaine's marriage to Louis VII of France began on July 25, 1137, in the cathedral of Bordeaux. It had actually been arranged by her guardian, King Louis VI, shortly before his death and was driven by political interests.

As the heiress to the vast and wealthy duchy of Aquitaine, her marriage to Louis VII, the king of France, strengthened the Capetian dynasty's control over a significant portion of France.

For Eleanor, marrying the French king provided security and an elevated status. 

Eleanor was about fifteen years old at the time. Louis VII had recently ascended the throne and was eager to consolidate his power through this influential alliance.

As a consequence, Eleanor's extensive lands became part of the French royal domain, at least in name. 

As Queen of France, Eleanor's lively and assertive personality often clashed with Louis’s pious and reserved nature. This created a turbulent relationship.

During their marriage, the couple participated in the disastrous Second Crusade from 1147 to 1149. Some accounts suggest Eleanor attempted to assert command in advising and influencing the crusading efforts.

The expedition, however, only highlighted the growing rift between her and Louis. After their return to France, their inability to produce a male heir became a significant problem, even though they did have two daughters.  

In 1152, after fifteen years of marriage, Louis officially sought annulment from the Church on the grounds of consanguinity (being too closely related): a common pretext for dissolving unions among the medieval nobility.

Once the annulment was granted, Eleanor retained control over Aquitaine, which was highly unusual for the time. 

Her union with Louis VII, though politically significant, ultimately failed due to their incompatible personalities and differing ambitions. 

Eleanor’s next marriage was to Henry Plantagenet, the future Henry II of England, on May 18, 1152, just two months after her annulment from Louis VII.

This marriage significantly altered the balance of power in Europe, as it merged the vast territories of Aquitaine with the Angevin holdings.

Henry, who was ten years younger than Eleanor, was a dynamic and ambitious man. Together, they ruled over a vast and diverse empire stretching from England to the Pyrenees. 

During her second marriage, Eleanor and Henry had eight children, including Richard the Lionheart and John, both of whom became kings of England.

Thanks to her considerable political experience, Eleanor would play a crucial role in the administration of their lands, especially during Henry's frequent absences.

She was also able to maintain her influence over Aquitaine in order to ensure the duchy's loyalty to the Angevin cause.

Sadly, despite their strong partnership, their relationship was marred by Henry's numerous infidelities. In 1173, Eleanor supported her sons in a revolt against Henry.

Henry's response was swift and severe; he captured Eleanor and imprisoned her for over fifteen years, primarily in various English castles such as Winchester and Sarum. 

Surprisingly, even during this period of captivity, she remained a respected figure among her sons. Upon Henry's death in 1189, Richard the Lionheart released Eleanor from imprisonment.

Then, during Richard's reign, she acted as regent, managing royal affairs while he was on crusade. She took charge of diplomatic efforts during Richard's capture and imprisonment in Germany.

Eleanor had a role in negotiating with Emperor Henry VI and raised the 150,000 mark ransom needed for Richard's freedom, equivalent to over two years of England's entire royal revenue. 

In her later years, Eleanor focused on securing the future of her family and dynasty. She supported her youngest son, John, despite his troubled reign, and arranged strategic marriages for her grandchildren.

In 1200, near the age of 80, she retired to the Abbey of Fontevraud, where she spent her remaining years in relative peace. Eleanor of Aquitaine passed away on April 1, 1204.

After her death, Eleanor was buried at the Abbey of Fontevraud, beside her husband Henry II and her son Richard I, whose effigies still rest there today.