jan 1, 1137 - Eleanor of Aquitaine

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Diplomat, Patron, Duchess, Queen to two Kings and perhaps the foremost woman of High Medieval Europe, Alienòr d'Aquitània was legendary.

Born into vast wealth and prestige, she was the heiress to one of the most powerful men in medieval France. Possessing great beauty and wit she would become equally loved and loathed as she made her way through noble society. Stubborn, willful and ambitious she earned a reputation for immodest dress, foul language and indecent behaviour.

King Louis of France was among her foremost of admirers and though he was unwilling to accept her behaviour, was infatuated with her and the two married, beginning a fruitless union.

When Louis announced his intention to go on crusade, he proved a weak and innefectual leader. As he strayed at the back of the army, with the unarmed pilgrims to avoid any danger, Eleanor stayed at the front with the soldiers. Louis refused Eleanor's suggestions and ultimately the whole crusade was a failure, with Louis chastened and humiliated.

By this time the two had become estranged and ultimately sought an annulment. Due to the fact that they were related within the 6th degree of consanguinity (Third cousins) the marriage was declared null and void and Eleanor was now single again.

Despite rumours of an affair between herself and her Uncle Raymond, who had recently been killed in the holy land, Eleanor had little difficulty finding a new suitor. She married King Henry II of England (son of Empress Matilda) and despite a feud between them, had numerous children.

When Henry's children began to oppose him and seek greater powers for themselves, Eleanor tended to support and advise them, ultimately being imprisoned for 16 years for doing so. Eventually she was released, on request from their dying son (also called Henry). When her sons became Kings of England, she advised them again and while Richard spent most of his reign abroad, Eleanor maintained the Kingdom in his absence. She would live well into the reign of her youngest son, John.

Eleanor was renowned for her beauty, cunning, intelligence and the great culture she surrounded herself with at her "Court of Love" in Poitou, Aquitaine. She is said to have helped inspire medieval legends of chivalry and courtly love as one of the foremost patrons of art in medieval Europe.

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