Schoyer Brooks, Polly

Queen Eleanor: Independent Spirit of the Medieval World (A biography of Eleanor of Aquataine) - NY Houghton Mifflin 1983

This riveting biography provides you with an inside look into the enchanting life of a powerful woman in European history, Eleanor of Aquitaine. Born in 1122, she was just fifteen when she inherited her father's vast lands in Aquitaine, France. In a quick political move, the King of France arranged for his son, Louis the VII to marry Eleanor, as a way to gain control of her duchy. Eleanor was a well-educated woman, politically savvy, and not content to be confined by the traditional gender roles of her time. By the time she was twenty-nine she grew tired of her marriage to Louis, and she sought after a divorce. Afterwards, she pursued her next groom, Henry the Duke of Normandy. Henry soon was named the rightful heir to the English throne, and he took his place there in 1154. The author also points out that Eleanor was not only one of the most powerful political figures of her day, but she also helped to shape the future for the arts and humanities, as it was one of her true passions. This insightful narrative is a must-read for any lover of French and English history.

ISBN: 9780395981399

Subjects--Topical Terms:
medieval
royalty