Eleanor of Aquitaine

c. 1122 – 1 April 1204

Eleanor of Aquitaine (c. 1122-1204) was Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right and queen consort of both France and England, making her one of the most powerful women of medieval Europe. She accompanied the Second Crusade, and her sons by Henry II included the English kings Richard the Lionheart and John. In her later years she governed as regent during Richard's absence and helped raise his ransom.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Life events

Born in Aquitaine
c. 1122

Eleanor was born around 1122, probably in or near Poitiers or Bordeaux, the eldest child of William X, Duke of Aquitaine, and Aenor de Chatellerault.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Became Duchess of Aquitaine
9 April 1137

On the death of her father William X, Eleanor inherited the vast duchy of Aquitaine, instantly becoming the most eligible heiress in Europe.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Married Louis VII and became Queen of France
25 July 1137

Eleanor married the future Louis VII of France in Bordeaux Cathedral; he became king within weeks, making her queen consort of France.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Accompanied the Second Crusade to the Holy Land
1147 – 1149

Eleanor travelled with Louis VII on the Second Crusade, journeying through Constantinople to Antioch and Jerusalem, a rare role for a medieval queen.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Marriage to Louis VII annulled
21 March 1152

The marriage was annulled at the Council of Beaugency on grounds of consanguinity, with Eleanor retaining her lands in Aquitaine.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relationship ✓
Married Henry, Duke of Normandy, the future Henry II of England
18 May 1152

Only weeks after her annulment, Eleanor married Henry Plantagenet, uniting Aquitaine with his Norman and Angevin lands.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Crowned Queen of England
19 December 1154

Eleanor was crowned queen consort of England alongside Henry II at Westminster Abbey.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Imprisoned by Henry II for supporting their sons' revolt
1173 – 6 July 1189

After backing the failed revolt of 1173-1174 by her sons against Henry II, Eleanor was held in confinement in England until Henry's death.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Acted as regent and raised the ransom for Richard I
1192 – 1194

While Richard the Lionheart was on crusade and then held captive in Germany, Eleanor governed on his behalf and organised the enormous ransom that freed him in 1194.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at Fontevraud Abbey
1 April 1204

Eleanor died at Fontevraud Abbey in Anjou, where she had taken the veil as a nun, and was entombed there beside Henry II and Richard I.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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