Eleanor & Philip Harris

Eleanor of Aquitaine, born around 1124, was a pivotal figure in the High Middle Ages, inheriting the vast Duchy of Aquitaine and becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in Western Europe. Her life was marked by significant political marriages and influence. She first married Louis VII of France, becoming queen consort and accompanying him on the Second Crusade. After an annulment in 1152, she swiftly married Henry II of England, subsequently becoming queen of England. Eleanor ruled jointly with her husbands and sons, including Kings Richard I and John, and acted as regent during Richard's absences. Her life was characterized by immense power, political maneuvering, and a significant impact on the royal courts of both France and England, despite limited direct contemporary documentation of her life and a tendency for historical accounts to focus on the men around her.

Upon her father Duke William X's death in 1137, Eleanor, then around 13 years old, inherited the wealthy Duchy of Aquitaine. Recognizing the strategic importance of these lands, King Louis VI of France quickly arranged her marriage to his son, Louis, who became King Louis VII shortly after. Eleanor was crowned queen of France and, as duchess, ruled Aquitaine jointly. She bore Louis two daughters but, lacking a male heir, their marriage was annulled in 1152 due to consanguinity. This annulment restored her control over Aquitaine, setting the stage for her next significant union.

In the same year as her annulment, Eleanor married Henry, Duke of Normandy. When Henry ascended the English throne as Henry II in 1154, Eleanor became queen of England. Their union produced eight children, including future kings Richard I and John. However, their relationship deteriorated, leading Henry to imprison Eleanor for supporting a revolt by their sons. She was released only upon Henry's death in 1189. As queen dowager, Eleanor wielded considerable power, acting as regent for Richard during his absences and successfully advocating for John's succession after Richard's death.

Despite her profound influence, contemporary primary sources detailing Eleanor's life are scarce. Biographies often rely on chronicles written by clerics, frequently presenting her as a peripheral figure in the lives of powerful men. Records from Aquitaine are particularly limited, and she appears to have been deliberately downplayed in French court records. English and Welsh secular sources offer some accounts, though often colored by satire or criticism. Clerical sources, influenced by events like the murder of Thomas Becket, often expressed negative views of women in power, contributing to a 'Black Legend' surrounding Eleanor. Later interpretations swung to the opposite extreme, portraying her as a feminist heroine. Modern scholarship endeavors to provide a more balanced perspective on this complex historical figure.