Eleanor Of Aquitaine's Most Influential Women In France

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“Grief is not very different from illness: in the impetus of its fire it does not recognise lords, it does not fear colleagues, it does not respect or spare anyone, not even itself." This is one of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s most famous quotes, who was one of the most influential women in France and England during the Middle Ages. She was born in 1122, in Poitiers, Bordeaux, France, but some historians think she was born in Nieul-sur-l’Autise. Her mother was Aenor de Châtellerault, and her father was William the Tenth, Duke of Aquitaine. She grew up in Poitou, France, and had a lavish education. She was adept in math, history, and astrology, but also learned to do household chores, such as sewing and embroidery. She also learned how to play the …show more content…

Eleanor became Duchess of Aquitaine, making her one of the most sought after women in Europe, at the time. When Eleanor was about 15, in 1137, she met King Louis VII of France. They married soon after, on July 25, 1137, in the Cathedral of Saint-Andrè, in Bordeaux, France. They were married by the Archbishop of Bordeaux. After Eleanor married Louis, they were immediately named the Duke and Duchess of Aquitaine, giving Eleanor more power and recognition than she had ever received before. As a wedding gift, Eleanor gave Louis a crystal vase, which is the only surviving artifact that belonged to Eleanor. Soon after the two had married, Louis VI, the father of Louis VII, died of dysentery. This made Louis VII the new king of France, and Eleanor the new queen of …show more content…

Eleanor’s son, Richard I, was the heir of the English throne. He died on April 6th 1199, in Châlus, France, leaving Eleanor’s son, John, to rule England. Eleanor spent the last years of her life in Fontevraud, Bordeaux, France, where she resided until her death. She fell ill in the summer of 1199, but recovered later that year. In 1201, she fell ill again, but became a nun in Fontevraud. Eleanor died at the age of 82 or 83 in 1204 in Fontevraud, and is buried at Fontevraud Abbey next to her husband, King Henry II, and son, Richard I. By the time she passed away, she had outlived all of her children except Eleanor and

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