She and Henry brought order to a war torn country. Eleanor traveled at Henry’s side, having found her match in the energy department. At ease on horseback, she also liked the finer things, importing rich red wines and silk. She ruled justly in Henry’s absence, and could move an entire castle within hours at his call. Despite all the hardships of being a king and queen in medieval times, Eleanor stood by her man for fourteen years – until he fell out of love with her, and in love with another. Eleanor was truly hurt by his defection. She left England for her beloved Aquitaine, determined to prove she didn’t need a husband. As Duchess, she chose to rule with her son, Richard, instead of Henry. Always her favorite, Richard was the embodiment of the perfect knight. With her eldest daughter, Countess Marie, she taught the youth about courtly love – a theme so popular it traveled through the continent. She also supported her sons’ rebellion against their father, King Henry. With her help, the ungrateful man had conquered lands, but he shared nothing with his children. Gave no respect to her. Eleanor went to her ex, King Louis, asking for his support. Of course, he gave it. He owed Henry a mortal blow.
Henry refused to believe his sons would rebel and he listened to his advisors, who laid all the blame at Eleanor’s feet. Angry with his wife, Henry set a trap and captured an escaping, mail-clad Eleanor. He took her as a prisoner back to England. She was confined for the next fifteen years, until his death. Released at the age of sixty-seven, Eleanor wasn’t ready to put up her toes and sing Alleluia. She retained her political acumen, and easily accepted the mantle of power in Richard’s stead, until he could be crowned king. She ensured that he was popular by performing acts of justice in his name – Eleanor knew how to rule. When Richard left England for crusade, Eleanor went in search of a bride for the unmarried king. She was almost seventy when she crossed the Alps in winter to bring his fiancé, Berengaria of Navarre, to Sicily. She stayed four days and returned home. It was Eleanor who raised the money to pay Richard’s ransom, and it was Eleanor who foiled John’s plot to take the throne. The woman finally got a chance to rest after she and Richard shared a coronation, cementing his rule in England. She retired – as a guest – at the Abbey of Fontevrault. A few years later she traveled over a hundred miles to reach her favorite son’s side. He died in her arms, naming John as heir to England. At seventy-seven, Eleanor had a king to make. Despite her guidance, John lost Normandy and Anjou to the French. Eleanor died at the age of eighty-two, a queen of all queens.
Eleanor of Aquitaine
buried at Fontevrault in 1204
Traci is currently working on a series about Eleanor and her female companions on crusade. There isn’t a lot written about Eleanor specifically—we don’t know what color hair or eyes she had, we just know that she was considered a great beauty. Depending on who is telling the story, she is a temptress or as pious as a nun. One thing stays true, Eleanor is a woman of great intrigue, making her a perfect romantic heroine! Eleanor is featured in Beauty’s Curse Traci’s 11/09 historical romance. Please visit Traci at www.traciehall.com.