Eleanor Of Aquitaine: Most Powerful And Influential Woman Of The Medieval Ages

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Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most powerful and influential woman of the Medieval ages. She had inherited a vast estate by the age of 15, soon became the Queen of England (1154–1189), the Queen of France (1137–1152), lead a crusade and was one of the most sought out brides of her generation. Eleanor was born in Southern France, in year 1122. She was born into wealth, well educated by her father, William X, Duke of Aquitaine, thoroughly versed in literature, philosophy, and languages. Eleanor wasn’t only intellectual but an avid horse rider and by far one of the most eligible single young woman in Europe. Eleanor’s father was the Duke of Aquitaine and her mother Aénor of Châtellerault who died in 1130 when Eleanor was 8 years old, Eleanor was the eldest daughter of William and had 1 sister, Petronilla of Aquitaine, and 1 half brother, William Aigret …show more content…

William X, Duke of Aquitaine died on April 9th, 1137, giving Eleanor the title of Duchess of Aquitaine. Shortly after William's death, Eleanor married Louis VII of France in 1137, giving him legal right to her land’s, increasing the power and prominence of France. Following her marriage to Prince Louis, the couple was enthroned as Duke and Duchess of Aquitaine. However, with the death of King Louis VI (Prince Louis VII’s father), Prince Louis and Eleanor were anointed and crowned King and Queen of France on December 25, 1137. The couple was blessed with two daughters. She was constantly rebuked and criticized by King Louis’ mother and church elders and labelled as flighty woman with a bad influence. Due to Eleanor not being able to produce a male heir, didn’t help her already deteriorating marriage with King Louis, they soon

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