Eleanor of Aquitaine
Duchess of Aquitaine, Queen of France, Queen of England, and mother of kings.
Eleanor of Aquitaine was Duchess of Aquitaine from 1137 to 1204, Queen of France from 1137 to 1152 as the wife of King Louis VII, and Queen of England from 1154 to 1189 as the wife of King Henry II. As the reigning duchess of Aquitaine, she ruled jointly with her husbands and two of her sons, Kings Richard I and John of England. As the heiress of the House of Poitiers, which controlled much of southwestern France, she was one of the wealthiest and most powerful people in Western Europe during the High Middle Ages.
- Notable Children
- Richard I, John, and other sons of Henry II
Lore & Background
Eleanor became duchess upon her father's death in 1137. Later that year, she married Louis, son of King Louis VI of France. Shortly afterwards, Eleanor's father-in-law died and her husband became king, making her queen consort. Louis VII and Eleanor had two daughters, Marie and Alix. During the Second Crusade, Eleanor accompanied Louis to the Holy Land. Pope Eugene III rejected an initial request in 1149 for an annulment of the marriage on grounds of consanguinity. In 1152, after fifteen years of marriage, Eleanor had not borne a male heir, and the annulment was granted. Their daughters were declared legitimate, custody was awarded to Louis, and Eleanor's lands were restored to her. In the same year, Eleanor married Henry, the Duke of Normandy. In 1154, Henry and Eleanor became king and queen of England. The couple had five sons and three daughters, but they eventually became estranged. Henry imprisoned Eleanor for supporting the 1173 revolt against him by their sons Young Henry, Richard and Geoffrey. She was not released until 1189, when Henry II died and Richard I ascended the throne. As queen dowager, Eleanor acted as regent during Richard's long absences from England and France. On Richard's death in 1199, she successfully campaigned for his younger brother John to succeed him. After continuing turmoil between the French and English kings and the successive loss of the lands she and Henry II had once ruled over, she died in 1204 and was buried in Fontevraud Abbey in France.
In Their Own Story
In 1137, William X left Poitiers for Bordeaux and took his daughters with him. Upon reaching Bordeaux, he left them at l'Ombrière Castle in the charge of his loyal vassal and the local archbishop, Geoffrey of Louroux. William then set out for the Shrine of Saint James of Compostela in the company of other pilgrims. However, he died on Good Friday of that year (9 April). Eleanor, aged 13, then became the duchess of Aquitaine, and thus one of the richest and most eligible heiresses in Europe. William X named King Louis VI of France as Eleanor's guardian. Louis VI, who was in poor health, recognised an opportunity to realise a long-standing ambition to enlarge his dominions by the acquisition of Aquitaine. He spent little time in dispatching the young Louis, accompanied by a large retinue of some 500 knights, along with Abbot Suger of Saint-Denis, Bishop Geoffrey II of Chartres, and Counts Theobald II of Champagne and Ralph I of Vermandois, to Bordeaux to secure the marriage. On 25 July 1137, Archbishop Geoffrey of Bordeaux oversaw her wedding to Louis in the Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux. Immediately after the wedding, the couple were enthroned as duke and duchess of Aquitaine. As a wedding present, she gave Louis a rock crystal vase.
Reader's Guide
Eleanor is a character defined by her immense starting power as Duchess of Aquitaine, one of the wealthiest and most powerful vassal states within France. Her primary challenge involves navigating the treacherous waters of marriage alliances and succession crises. Players must manage her relationships with powerful husbands like Louis VII or Henry II, balancing diplomacy with the risk of rebellion from ambitious children. Key turning points include the annulment of her first marriage in 1152 after fifteen years and no male heir, and her imprisonment by Henry II for supporting the 1173 revolt by their sons Young Henry, Richard and Geoffrey. She was not released until 1189. As queen dowager, she acted as regent during Richard's long absences. On Richard's death in 1199, she successfully campaigned for his younger brother John to succeed him. Her skills lie in stewardship and political maneuvering, allowing her to navigate the complex court politics of both France and England.
Did You Know?
- Eleanor's year of birth is not known precisely; the first mention of her is found in a document from July 1129, and tradition places her birth during one of her parents' visits to Bordeaux, likely at her father's nearby castle of Belin.
- She was named for her mother Aénor and baptised as Aliénor from the Latin alia Ænor, which means 'the other Aénor'.
- Eleanor accompanied Louis VII to the Holy Land during the Second Crusade.
- Pope Eugene III rejected an initial request in 1149 for an annulment of Eleanor's marriage to Louis VII on grounds of consanguinity.
- Henry II imprisoned Eleanor for supporting the 1173 revolt against him by their sons Young Henry, Richard and Geoffrey; she was not released until 1189.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Eleanor of Aquitaine?
She is a historical figure available at the High Medieval start dates as the Duchess of Aquitaine who later becomes Queen Consort to both France and England. Her character represents one of the most powerful women of the era, controlling vast territories through her own right.
Which notable children does she have?
Eleanor is the mother of several key historical figures including Richard I and King John, who are playable characters in later game timelines. These sons often inherit the English throne while maintaining strong ties to their mother's Aquitaine lands.
What role does she play in the game narrative?
Her storyline involves navigating complex marriage alliances that shift power between the French and English crowns. Players can experience her political maneuvering through events or by playing as her directly at certain start dates.
Why is controlling Aquitaine important for her?
The Duchy of Aquitaine provides immense wealth and strategic depth, making it a crucial asset for any ruler seeking dominance in western Europe. As Duchess, she commands significant levies and income that influence the balance of power against neighboring kingdoms.
How does her historical story conclude?
In history, she was imprisoned by Henry II before being released to aid Richard on his crusade and serve as regent. Her life ends in Fontevraud Abbey where she is buried alongside her husband and son, marking the end of a turbulent reign.