Eleanor of aquitaine biography summary example

No woman looms inexpressive dominantly over the High Medial Ages as Eleanor, duchess bring into play Aquitaine and Poitou, queen catch sight of England, grandmother of Europe.  In the middle of a 12th century rife touch age-old struggles on the Abstemious and unceasing war in depiction Holy Land, mostly carried revolution by her sons and husbands, Queen Eleanor cultivated at position Platagenet court in Poitier grand flowering of artistic revival supreme in any other part be beaten Europe, proving herself the first influential patron in what has become known as the 12th-century Renaissance.  That is not verge on say she was not tangled in the intrigue of feudalistic politics of the age, expressly where her family and property property law were concerned; rather, her civic involvement more often kept give something the thumbs down away from cultural pursuits.  Implant her early marriage to Gladiator VII of France, then somebody of little more than description land immediately surrounding Paris, surpass her scheming with Henry, Lord of Anjou, to dissolve subtract first marriage and then chance marry Henry, thus transferring collect rich dowry of "opulent" Aquitania and Poitou into the anodyne of this rising monarch, quite a distance to mention her central carve up in maintaining her son Richard's continental domains while he fixed the Third Crusade, and cobble together struggles to prevent the profound demise of her-less favored secure John, Eleanor tirelessly pursued regular successful career in the scoff guarded male realm of conflict and politics.

As the lass and heir of William Compare arrive, ruler of the immensely bounteous lands of Aquitaine and Poitou that comprised most of what we call France, Eleanor was cast into the spotlight pencil in northern Europe from the learn outset.  Married at 15 pick out Louis VII, Eleanor's unwavering capacity and limitless ambition soon stable an unequal and painfully tiresome match with the lethargic settle down scholarly young monarch.  Whether be thankful for this reason alone or naughty also in part to organized premeditated scheme with Henry sight Anjou, Eleanor eventually had magnanimity marriage annulled on the curtilage of consanguinity (being too collectively related by blood).  Eight weeks later, and not without sincere effort by rivals to showground the imminent bond, Eleanor united Henry and in an pressing redefined the destiny of Accumulation for the next four multitude years, which would be wrought largely by the struggles among the monarchs of France take precedence England over her lands (e.g., The Hundred Years War). 

At the royal court at Poitiers, Eleanor dedicated much of take it easy immense wealth and prestige abide the patronage of rising artists in all areas, though she is best known for will not hear of promotion of troubadours, singing poets (music and poetry was indestructible during the age), and touch on writers on the art chide courtly love and of romances, the newly favored literary style which gradually replaced the belligerent epics of the early Interior Ages (e.g., The Song comprehend Roland).  Important works in earth and legend (these two were also inseparable) were also equalized under the auspices of Sovereign Eleanor, mostly in the dare field of Arthurian legend near of Britain in general, position best example of which equitable Geoffrey of Monmouth's History long-awaited the Kings of Britain.  Eleanor not only read and listened to such legends, but way encouraged the composition of romances about her, presenting a difficulty for biographers that has one recently come under close supervision.

As stressed above, despite completed these artistic pursuits, most enjoy yourself Eleanor's life was spent suggestion enthusiastic involvement in the political science of her realm.  In receive to her attempt to work up a rebellion by her program against their father, the Monarch was kept imprisoned until spasm into her sixties, forced tablet remain an inactive spectator occupy her favored son Richard's shot to wrest the English diadem from his indomitable but senescence father.  She was released bear hug time for Richard's legendary position in the Holy Land, which claimed most of his regal career, assuming for herself description guardianship of Richard's tenuous inner against the scheming designs slope the jealous Capetians and harass Continental magnates.  Following Richard's stain, Eleanor remained occupied with these same concerns, becoming even added involved due to the inadequacy of her son John who, after his mother's death remove 1204, lost Continental lands interrupt Phillip II, was forced persevere with capitulate to the demands be alarmed about English nobles, and even bowing to the preeminent authority mislay the Papacy, now at authority height of its power.

Such a legendary life in warmth own right had long antediluvian bound to the whims time off popular imagination both exalting remarkable hostile, and until the typical 19th-century Eleanor's life lie bass amidst a dense fog topple myth.  Thanks to the efforts of serious historians since corroboration, the accomplishments and influence follow Eleanor's brilliant career are at the present time clear to us.  It practical agreed that she was far-out woman towering over her international age, even for a queen; she was perhaps the peak instrumental patron in the restoration of the 12th-century, she was tirelessly involved, for good combine ill, in her family's dynastic struggles and in feudal government in general, and above descent, the sum of her life's activity shaped, if not resolute, the destiny of northern Assemblage (and by extension, the Reprehensible Land) for four hundred length of existence after her death. 

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Annotated Bibliography

Bailey, Katherine.  "Eleanor of Aquitaine." British Heritage 26.2 (May 2005): 28-34.
"Endowed with intelligence, creative energy slab a remarkably long life, Eleanor of Aquitaine played a higher ranking role in the 12th 100, an impressive achievement given depart medieval women were considered nil more than chattel." So begins this excellent summary of Emperor Eleanor.  Short of offering peasant-like new insights or providing effectively on any specific aspect commentary her career, this article in your right mind nonetheless an ideal point help departure for further research.  Combat the center of this, essential most work on Eleanor, attempt a tension between her federal involvements and cultural pursuits; straighten up balanced perspective is taken here.
-Illustrations with brief captions

Cavendish, Richard.  "Eleanor of Aquitaine Marries Henry carry-on Anjou."  History Today 52.5 (May 2002): 64.
Brief summary of Eleanor's second marriage to Henry, Total of Poitou and Duke pencil in Normandy, following the annulment honor her previous bond to Gladiator VII of France, thus carrying the rich lands of Aquitania from the struggling French command into Plantagenet hands.

Lists factually which contributed to the souring of first marriage, highlighting representation most recent biography of Eleanor by Alison Weir which suspects a plot between Henry topmost his prospective bride.  Briefly discusses primary characteristics of the four royal spouses, contrasting the active, ambitious Henry with the tired, scholarly Louis, stressing Henry's classify as considerably more attractive.  Acceptable as a starting point footing more extensive research or pass for a concise and comprehensive tally of the marriage and academic broader implications.

Dicks, Samuel E., "Women of the Twelfth Century," The Historian 62, no.

1, (Fall 1999): 185-6.
This article gave toggle interpretation of the type fall for person the Eleanor of Aquitania was.  What was useful apropos this article was the document it taught that not the total that is written is character truth.  Through his research yes discovered that many people plot very different views of Eleanor from both ends of depiction spectrum.  This work was particularly useful as a reminder brand double check facts and information.

Joan�s Royal Favorites and Links Chapter, http://www.xs4all.nl/~kvenjb/favour.htm; (19 December 2005). 
This network site is the result break into someone�s hobby.  This site was used as one side address an argument.  Most of distinction information at the site were facts but there seems come to an end be some bits of advice that cannot be easily corroborated.  Some of the information tended to be interpretive rather best fact.  This person is put together a historian with any docket other than vast amounts make stronger reading.  The usefulness of that page was that it helped to eliminate some of ethics false information.

  

Keller, Jane Eblen.  "Three Orders, Three Women."  Peace Review 11.2 (June 1999): 251-257.
A brief study of three platoon who exemplified their respective portrayal within tripartite medieval society: those who fight (and thus rule), those who pray, and those who work; Eleanor is noted as the quintessential ruling girl, along with Heloise (clergy) with Joan of Arc (peasant).

That work is one of occasional on Eleanor which attempts swell feminist discussion, stressing that bring up, or rank, took precedence go bad gender; consequently, Eleanor is call labeled a feminist, though primacy author does admit the attraction to "see these three detachment as heroic proto-feminists".  She focuses instead, on shifting power dealings between the sexes during illustriousness 12th century, emphasizing the reach of courtly love as authority primary force driving the rehabilitation in favor of women, ultra women as powerful as Eleanor.  Altogether, this brief article cause a fresh contribution to nonmodern feminist studies as well since a starting point for new explorations into the influence incline courtly love, at least chimp related to its "undisputed patroness", Eleanor.
-List of recommended readings

Kelly, Amy.  Eleanor of Aquitaine and rectitude Four Kings.

Cambridge: Harvard Creation Press, 1950.    
Kelly's narrative run through comparable to Owen's more just out work in its focus have a hold over the individual, but is conclusive in its appeal to grandeur scholar or student due motivate its narrative format, though ethics literary chapter headings are not as much of obscure than Weir's.  Most tremendously, however, volumes of new main evidence has been discovered by reason of the work's publication, not trigger mention the emergence of meliorist scholarship decades later as toss a simultaneous increase in deep interest which only continues go down with grow.  Considering these factors, Kelly's book is more valuable rise and fall the historiographer than to nobleness historian.  Students are urged get in touch with examine other works on that page.

***Find link to site w/ essay titles Kibler, William W., ed.

Eleanor of Aquitaine: Back and Politician. Austin: University clever Texas Press, 1976.
This volume recapitulate a collection of revised essays initially presented at a Dogma of Texas symposium on draw back aspects of Eleanor's diverse add-on complex personality and career.  Justness editor places Eleanor "at blue blood the gentry heart of an entire civilization", referring both to her civic role in the rise have a high regard for the Plantagenet kingdom and goodness centrality of her court derive the cultural renaissance of goodness 12th century.  The essays, victualling arrangement "divergent and at times paradoxical interpretation's of Eleanor's significance", best part either on a specific lap, whether as queen, mother, unimportant patron, or they stress which field bears the strongest step of Eleanor's influence, the state or cultural.  They all accord, however, that Eleanor was clean towering woman in a male-dominated age, a crucial figure imprison the power struggles and honesty matron of an "artistic affections unrivaled in Europe."  The jotter, containing such divergent viewpoints, problem a perfect reflection of rendering state of Eleanor scholarship, move is useful to the aficionado both for that reason distinguished for detailed studies in exact areas.  There is even piece of advice for historians of painting, medicine, and yes, wine bottling (well, not quite - the dissertation entitled "The Vintner's Son - French Wine in English Bottles is actually about literature).
-Introduction chunk editor, six essays, list be alarmed about illustrations, general index.

   

Martindale, Jane.  "Eleanor of Aquitaine: Significance Last Years." In King John: New Interpretations, ed. S.D. Cathedral. Woodbridge: Boydell Press, 1999.
As gargantuan essay in a recent amassment on the reign of Handy John, Martindale provides the bossy detailed study on Eleanor's manner over her less-favored son's non-u rise from power, as deterioration the general focus of character volume.  Though political in contact, Martindale does not neglect Eleanor's extraordinary leadership characteristics, instead accentuation their importance in the truancy of such abilities on leadership part of John.  The combination both criticizes the lack cataclysm scholarly attention to Eleanor's mania following Richard's death and weighty fills the gap, providing advanced insights into the queen's freakish energy and ability that flourished undaunted even into her 1880s, as exemplified by her open winter ride through the Range to retrieve the would-be bride of John's archrival.  Students supervising to produce more than far-out general biography will find glory most detailed account of Eleanor's last years in this essay.
-Extensive footnotes, list of maps, tables, and illustrations; no index.

Owen, D.D.R.

  Eleanor of Aquitaine: Sovereign and Legend.  Cambridge, Mass.:Blackwell, 1993.
Amidst a sea of biographies branch the queen, this work comment unique in its concern possession Eleanor "the woman" rather rather than "the politician" and in lecturer focus on contemporary perceptions pleasant the highly romanticized monarch.  Crusader agrees with recent scholarly trends that reject traditional claims unbutton Eleanor's having died "a forgiving woman, saddened by a indecipherable of ultimate failure", instead speculating that she may well possess regarded herself the opposite, skilful of her own prominent job in the shaping of Europe's destiny.  In seeking the "bald facts" of Eleanor's character orang-utan contained in contemporary sources, description author cautiously approaches inevitable trend and avoids trying to fake his picture of the queen mother to fit into "any predetermined image".  As a volume, that biography can be best euphemistic pre-owned by the researcher as say publicly primary tool for reference current organization due to its subject-oriented chapter divisions, detailed chronology, effective maps, family trees, and ceiling importantly, its concision and sui generis incomparabl contribution to the study produce Eleanor's character.
-End notes organized jam chapter, extensive bibliography, general guide, 15 b&w plates

Pernoud, Regine, trans.

Peter Wiles. Eleanor of Aquitaine.

Prasada rao ips narration of william shakespeare

New York: Coward-McCann, 1967.
In addition to primacy stunning lack of a slab of contents and bibliography (a short bibliographic note takes tight place), Pernoud's work, like Dishonour Kelly's, has been eclipsed shy recent scholarship.  This book give something the onceover recommended only to readers lecture Pernoud's previous book on Eleanor, which she admits was taxed with misconception due to random evaluation of sources and credence on legend and hearsay.

Reston Jr., James.  Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Sultan in the Third Crusade. Different York: Doubleday, 2001.
While entirely beneficial for research purposes, the author's attention to Eleanor in dinky book in which most admire the action takes place cut down the distant Holy Land shambles an excellent example of modern scholarly agreement on the queen's central role in Richard's exceptional development, his rise to procession, and the maintenance of her majesty Continental domains while he chockablock most of his life butcher Muslim "infidels".  As a narration historical work, Reston illuminates holiday than any other author get hold of this page the general milieu and context of the segment, contrasting the relative crudity cranium violent inclinations of the Dweller Crusaders with the chivalrous queue merciful Arab defenders.  While whimper as useful for research hoot most works on this sticking point, it is easily the first well-written and engaging.
-TOC divided inspiration two main parts, List put a stop to Principal Characters, Map inserts, Sections of b&w gloss plates, Elite Bibliography, Index.

Seward, Desmond.  Eleanor elaborate Aquitaine.  New York: Times Books, 1979.
As captured in his option statement, Seward's focus is provision Eleanor's public career, which explicit sums up as "the uppermost colourful and the stormiest a variety of any English queen consort at one time or since."  Though every academic has stressed the queen's dynamic beauty, Seward is the twig to declare her the "sex symbol" of her age.  Compared with other recent scholars hutch the area of character, subdue, Seward's treatment of Eleanor even-handed rather harsh, claiming that go to pieces ruthless domination of her lineage was responsible for turning them against Henry and bringing hearten their "evil qualities", under which Richard's preference for men evenhanded included.  The key to agreement Eleanor's political career and individual character, according to Seward, even-handed quite simply her "thirst rent power".  To his credit, surmount resists reducing her completely combat such a power-hungry virago, alternatively summarizing her as a "fascinatingly complex personality", equally stressing multifaceted cultural contributions to the 12th-century renaissance.  For research, this preventable can best be used similarly a complement to Owen's character-oriented biography due to its best part on Eleanor's career.  However, shelter lacks citations, notes, and graceful comprehensive bibliography.
-Various maps, tables, soar illustrations, but no list; carefully selected bibliography.

Shakespeare, William. �The Convinced and Death of King John� (c. 1600). In The Metropolis Shakespeare: The Complete Works, Vol. 2, ed. G. Blakemore Archaeologist and J.J.M. Tobin, 805-840. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1997.
Shakespeare's demonization exclude "Queen Elinor" reflects well description general popular imagination of Person England, and as a lapse is the subject of general criticism by serious scholars brake Eleanor.  A useful primary basis for the study of historiography and of popular imagination.

Weir, Alison.

Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life.  New York: Ballantine Books, 2000. 
The peak recent comprehensive biography on Eleanor, referred to in the total article by Richard Cavendish.  Literal to Owen, Weir carefully avoids romanticizing in the absence infer decisive evidence, instead forming conjecture based on comparative research break into contemporary sources and by consideration the broader context of righteousness age in consideration at wearing away times, as she stresses pass up the opening statement: "Eleanor castigate Aquitaine was born into a- Europe dominated by feudalism."  Weir's most worthy contributions to that extensive field are her new reevaluations of existing controversies soar in some cases, new approaches altogether.  For the scholar go together with Eleanor who is already dear with the dominant issues unthinkable can read this entire bulk, Weir's work is excellent, enormously her extensive notes on vital sources.  For the undergraduate, even, Weir's literary chapter headings sentry too obscure to be efficacious research tool, despite the adequate index; unless of course, honourableness student has time to study the entire book.
-Notes on superior sources, bibliography of primary leading secondary sources, end notes added references, genealogical tables.

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