While henry battles their enemies and lays his plans, eleanor. Eleanor of aquitaine lived a long life of many contrasts, of splendor and desolation, power and peril, and in this stunning narrative, weir captures the womanand the queenin all her glory. Eleanor s patrilineal descent, from a lineage already prestigious enough to have produced an empress in the eleventh century, gave her the lordship of aquitaine. Learn more about eleanor of aquitaine in this article. A novel of eleanor of aquitainealienor woke at dawn. Combining the pace and descriptive quality of a novel with the authority of a textbook, alison weirs study of the revered and reviled eleanor of aquitaine. But her greatest influence, still shaping modern sensibilities, was her role as the symbol of. Eleanor of aquitaine audiobook by charles river editors. Weirs book reads almost like a novel, and she delves into the source material to come to interesting conclusions about eleanor. With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal and intrigue, she recreates not only a remarkable personality but a magnificent past era. Alison weir is one of britains topselling historians. The diary of eleanor, first daughter of the duke of aquitaine, from 16 until 17, when at age fifteen she becomes queen of france. A monstrous injurer of heaven and earth, as shakespeare referred to this powerful medieval matriarch, eleanor of aquitaines reign as englands stormiest and most ambitious queen has never been matched.
Eleanor of aquitaine lived a long life of many contrasts, of splendor and desolation, power and peril, and in this stunning narrative, weir captures the woman and the queenin all her glory. Eleanor of aquitaine was queen consort of france and england and duchess of aquitaine in her own right. The majority of the book focuses on the men in her life and not on eleanor at all, though it seems to be historically accurate with many sources. However, her husbands were engaged in almost constant warfare although often taking the winter off. For readers who arent familiar with eleanor of aquitaine, she rates as one of the truly great women of western historyone whose influence was felt years after her death which was particularly significant in an era when women had virtually no political rights or influence at all. Books for eleanor of aquitaine the history of england. In this beautifully written biography, alison weir paints a v. Combining the pace and descriptive quality of a novel with the authority of a textbook, alison weirs study of the revered and reviled eleanor of aquitaine should. She led armies several times in her life and was a leader of the second crusade. Net archive search books by rating android app menu search books. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. The tall candle that had been left to burn all night was almost a stub, and even through the closed shutters she could hear the cockerels on roosts, walls, and dung heaps, crowing the city of poitiers awake.
As the greatest heiress in europe, she was in turn queen of france and queen of england. Nov 16, 2015 eleanor of aquitaine is a fascinating historical figure, but sewards book does her little justice. Its hard to make the 12th centurythe time of the violent forging of european nationhood, the literary invention of courtly love, and names like dangerosa and the lord of cognacboring, but biographergenealogist weir the life of elizabeth i, 1998 gives it the old oxford try. Ive been curious about the historical figure of eleanor of aquitaine for a long time.
Pdf eleanor of aquitaine download full pdf book download. There have been plenty of books written about eleanor, but my favorite one ive read recently is eleanor of aquitaine. The eleanor that emerges from this book might to be as bold a character as you may expect, but she is much more human. Collections strong in medieval studies, both at the high school and college level, will find this a different kind of biographical coverage which examines the spiritual representation of eleanor of aquitaine. Is kellys eleanor of aquataine and the four kings a reissue of the 1950 book, or did she rewrite it.
The stunning conclusion to the eleanor of aquitaine trilogyimprisoned by her husband. As a member of the ramnulfids rulers in southwestern france, she was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in western europe during the high middle ages. Eleanor then became the duchess of aquitaine and, therefore, the most eligible heiress in europe. Eleanor of aquitaine eleanore of aquitaine was the most admired woman of the medieval era for countless reasons. Jan 22, 2012 i said last time that i would blog about some of the research books ive been using to write the first of my 3 novels about eleanor of aquitaine. This is the first novel that ive read in many years about her, and it expands on the eleanor that novelists like sharon kay penman have only touched on in their work. Eleanor of aquitaine was not only a boss at all of the abovelisted skills, she could read and speak in at least three languages. She outlived all but three of her children, including her favorite son, richard. Eleanor of aquitaine trilogy the summer queen, the first of three ground breaking linked but standalone novels detailing the life of eleanor aquitaine. The main characters of this history, non fiction story are eleanor of aquitaine. A life 1999 eleanor of aquitaine is my bestselling book to date. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 441 pages and is available in paperback format. Meades sounds interesting, almost gossipy like her book.
The nuns who wrote her obituary called her, a queen who surpassed almost all the queens of the world. A novel of eleanor of aquitaine ebook written by elizabeth chadwick. Weir brings all the color and everpresent dangers of eleanors world to life. This is the first novel that ive read in many years about her, and it expands on the eleanor that novelists like sharon kay penman. Owen and a great selection of similar new, used and collectible books available now at great prices. One of the notorious players in eleanor of aquitaines life story is her paternal uncle raymond of poitiers. This is a substantial book of 394 pages, and of all the single.
Eleanor of aquitaine 11221204, duchess of aquitaine in her own right and queen consort successively of france and england, was probably the most powerful woman in europe in the. Eleanor is one of the few medieval women about whom there is enough documentation to write a biography, and she comes across as feisty, determined and rather. She was married to two kings and had many children. Ralph turner, 2009 this is a substantial book of 394 pages, and of all the single book biographies it is probably the most authoritative. King john, the fourth son of henry ii and eleanor of aquitaine. She is the author of numerous works of history and historical fiction, specialising in the medieval and tudor periods. Eleanor of aquitaine, the subject of this book, was smart and beautiful.
As delicately textured as a 12thcentury tapestry, royal biographer weirs the life of elizabeth i, etc. She has also written biographies of woody allen, buster keaton, eleanor of aquitaine, victoria woodhull, and madame blavatsky, as well as two novels about medieval france. She was magnificently beautiful, exceedingly frivolous, but extremely hard working and well educated. Twelfth century folk did not jot down every passing thought. The marriage between eleanor of aquitaine and henry plantagenet was like no other, born of power, politics, and an all consuming, fiery love. The first edition of the novel was published in 1999, and was written by alison weir. Eleanor, duchess of aquitaine, queen of france and then of england, mother of richard i and king john. Best historicalfiction about eleanor of aquitaine 24 books. Eleanor of aquitaine 11221204 has long been noted for her political and cultural achievements. Eleanor of aquitaine by alison weir book cover, description, publication history. Eleanor of aquitaine reads like a really upmarket historical novel and that is a compliment. The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 441 pages and is available in. This wonderful book tells her tale in exquisite detail, from describing the fashionable furs and luxurious clothing she carried with her, to vivid descriptions of the court of medieval france. The life and legacy of medieval europes most famous queen attempts to provide an unbiased look at eleanors life by exploring the achievements and trials of the duchessqueen and deconstructing the black legends and other compelling tales that continue to envelop her to this day.
Eleanor of aquitaine is one of the most memorable women of history, and a modern woman who lived 800 years ago. It is the sixth bestselling historical biography of all time in the u. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the summer queen. Louis and eleanor were married in july 17, but had little time to get to know one another before louis father the king fell ill and died. So she has used a lot of imagination but as the story of a truly remarkable woman, it works. Her bestselling history books include the six wives of henry viii, eleanor of aquitaine. Publishers summary eleanor of aquitaine became the queen of both france and england, the wife of two kings, and later the mother of two kings. Dedicated to my new biography of eleanor of aquitaine to be published by amberley in autumn 2019. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the autumn throne. She had a younger sister called petronilla of aquitaine. Fixed in many french imaginations as a reverse image of joan of arc, eleanor of aquitaine still fascinates and puzzles historians of today, who, for many reasons which this book will try to. Apr 01, 2018 eleanor of aquitaine 1122 april 1, 1204 was a medieval firebrand, and no question about it. In 17, fifteenyearold eleanor became duchess of aquitaine. Eleanor of aquitaine skip to main search results amazon prime.
Eleanor of aquitaine is said to be responsible for the introduction of builtin fireplaces, first used when she renovated the palace of her first husband louis in paris. Queen eleanor of aquitaine is sitting on a cloud surrounded by friends and family, waiting for the arrival of her second husband, king henry ii of england. Mar 28, 2020 eleanor of aquitaine, queen consort of both louis vii of france 1752 and henry ii of england 11521204 and mother of richard i the lionheart and john of england. A life i was able to sate my eagerness to know what kind of life this woman, that was the duchess of aquitaine in her own right and queen of both france and england, lived. If king henry ii thought these things would push his queen into submission, he was. Had i not first read marion meades book, eleanor of aquitaine, a biography, i might. A monstrous injurer of heaven and earth, as shakespeare referred to this powerful medieval matriarch, eleanor of aquitaines reign as englands stormiest and most ambitious queen has. With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal and intrigue, she recreates not only a remarkable. Growing up, elizabeth i and eleanor of aquitaine were two of my very favorite heroines. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen of france and england home. She was perhaps the most powerful woman in 12thcentury europe. Her novel, the dress lodger, was published as part of the ballantine readers circle in january 2001.
Eleanor of aquitaine by alison weir fantastic fiction. Finding a decent biography of eleanor has been difficult as many of eleanor s biographers tend to wander off into fiction and speculation at the drop of a hat. As a member of the ramnulfids house of poitiers rulers in southwestern france, she was one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in western europe during the high middle ages. I selected this book as a biography of eleanor of aquitaine, it is almost 500 pages, so i expected to learn a lot about the fascinating life of this famous queen. But marriage reemphasized her sex which, in the medieval scheme of genderpower relations relegated her to the position of lady in. Eleanor of aquitaine and henry ii of england by maidensandmanuscripts on october 22, 2019 2.
For more than sixty years, queen eleanor of aquitaine was involved in all the important events in twelfthcentury france and england. One of marion meades problems, as she freely admits, was lack of sources. Eleanor of aquitaine 11221204, duchess of aquitaine in her own right and queen consort successively of france and england, was probably the most powerful woman in europe in the middle ages. With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal. Henry died long before eleanor, but his life on earth was filled with rather questionable behavior, and he has had to spend some time in helleight centuries to be exact. Eleanor of aquitaine peoplecharacters librarything. Eleanor of aquitaine alison weir this book is dedicated with heartfelt thanks to my agent, julian alexander and to jill black who has edited so many of my books. Eleanor of aquitaine was wife to both louis vii of france and henry ii of england, and her sons with the latter included the legendary crusader richard the lionhearted and the king john of shakespeares eponymous play, in which eleanor also appears as a character. The novel begins with eleanors marriage at thirteen years old to the future king of france. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 1 april 1204 was queen consort of france 171152 and england 11541189 and duchess of aquitaine in her own right 171204. Eleanor of aquitaine book by jean markale official. Eleanor of aquitaine 1122 april 1, 1204 was a medieval firebrand, and no question about it.
With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal and intrigue, weir recreates not only a remarkable personality but a magnificent past era. Best of all, if after reading an e book, you buy a paper version of eleanor of aquitaine. In approaching as complex a subject as feudalism, weir wears her learning lightly and has a pleasant habit of anticipating all the questions of a curious reader. She had a notorious lust for power, but was deeply devoted to her children and could be deeply loyal. Eleanors patrilineal descent, from a lineage already prestigious enough to have produced an empress in the eleventh century, gave her the lordship of aquitaine. These books about eleanor of aquitaine are historicallyaccurate testaments to this strongwilled woman of the middle ages. Eleanor of aquitaine, page 1 read online free books archive. Her place at the centre of european history at the time isnt diminished in this retelling, but it is made more realistic and sympathetic. Does the electronic version of the book completely replace the paper version. She was sole heiress to the largest, wealthiest region of what is now france. Eleanor of aquitaine, queen of france and england posts. Eleanor of aquitaine is my bestselling book to date. A stimulating and challenging book that depicts eleanor sympathetically as a credible person.
Eleanor ramnulfid of aquitaine, born circa 1122, was a pretty, wealthy teenager when she married her first husband. Proud daughter of a distinguished french dynasty, she married the king of france, louis vii, then the king of england, henry ii, and gave birth to two sons who. Marjorie chibnall, emeritus fellow, clare college, cambridge d. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15%. Eleanor of aquitaine, raymond of poitiers and the incident at antioch. While henry battles their enemies and lays his plans, eleanor is an adept acting ruler and mother to their growing brood of children. Eleanor of aquitaine, by the wrath of god, queen of england eleanor of aquitaine.
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