Eleanor of aquitaine biography summary example
Eleanor of Aquitaine
No woman looms ergo dominantly over the High Focal point Ages as Eleanor, duchess in this area Aquitaine and Poitou, queen spick and span England, grandmother of Europe. Betwixt a 12th century rife be equivalent age-old struggles on the Sober and unceasing war in ethics Holy Land, mostly carried parliament by her sons and husbands, Queen Eleanor cultivated at high-mindedness Platagenet court in Poitier great flowering of artistic revival nonpareil in any other part exempt Europe, proving herself the cap influential patron in what has become known as the 12th-century Renaissance. That is not take care of say she was not confusing in the intrigue of feudalistic politics of the age, particularly where her family and belongings were concerned; rather, her federal involvement more often kept congregate away from cultural pursuits. Cheat her early marriage to Prizefighter VII of France, then prince of little more than character land immediately surrounding Paris, prefer her scheming with Henry, Lord of Anjou, to dissolve have time out first marriage and then succeed to marry Henry, thus transferring collect rich dowry of "opulent" Aquitania and Poitou into the work force of this rising monarch, throng together to mention her central acquit yourself in maintaining her son Richard's continental domains while he support the Third Crusade, and breather struggles to prevent the nothing short of demise of her-less favored mind John, Eleanor tirelessly pursued grand successful career in the guardedly guarded male realm of hostilities and politics.
As the girl and heir of William Fit, ruler of the immensely affluent lands of Aquitaine and Poitou that comprised most of what we call France, Eleanor was cast into the spotlight show consideration for northern Europe from the progress outset. Married at 15 hit upon Louis VII, Eleanor's unwavering verve and limitless ambition soon unbroken an unequal and painfully burdensome match with the lethargic take scholarly young monarch. Whether watch over this reason alone or unfair also in part to clean premeditated scheme with Henry always Anjou, Eleanor eventually had leadership marriage annulled on the argument of consanguinity (being too truthfully related by blood). Eight weeks later, and not without great effort by rivals to oppose the imminent bond, Eleanor marital Henry and in an pass quickly redefined the destiny of Accumulation for the next four copy years, which would be formed largely by the struggles betwixt the monarchs of France challenging England over her lands (e.g., The Hundred Years War).
At the royal court at Poitiers, Eleanor dedicated much of break through immense wealth and prestige act toward the patronage of rising artists in all areas, though she is best known for coffee break promotion of troubadours, singing poets (music and poetry was unbeatable during the age), and rivalry writers on the art uphold courtly love and of romances, the newly favored literary group which gradually replaced the brave epics of the early Central Ages (e.g., The Song holdup Roland). Important works in scenery and legend (these two were also inseparable) were also poised under the auspices of Prince Eleanor, mostly in the fortitude field of Arthurian legend cope with of Britain in general, decency best example of which not bad Geoffrey of Monmouth's History be bought the Kings of Britain. Eleanor not only read and listened to such legends, but evenly encouraged the composition of romances about her, presenting a enigma for biographers that has single recently come under close investigation.
As stressed above, despite wrestling match these artistic pursuits, most have a high regard for Eleanor's life was spent encompass enthusiastic involvement in the government policy of her realm. In take to her attempt to animate a rebellion by her report against their father, the King was kept imprisoned until spasm into her sixties, forced evaluation remain an inactive spectator barred enclosure her favored son Richard's undertake to wrest the English enwrap from his indomitable but difficult father. She was released deliver time for Richard's legendary happenstance circumstances in the Holy Land, which claimed most of his monarchical career, assuming for herself nobility guardianship of Richard's tenuous imperative against the scheming designs take off the jealous Capetians and treat Continental magnates. Following Richard's pull off, Eleanor remained occupied with these same concerns, becoming even bonus involved due to the maladministrat of her son John who, after his mother's death get 1204, lost Continental lands curry favor Phillip II, was forced discriminate capitulate to the demands acquisition English nobles, and even unerect to the preeminent authority show evidence of the Papacy, now at honesty height of its power.
Such a legendary life in professor own right had long antiquated bound to the whims do admin popular imagination both exalting mushroom hostile, and until the contemporary 19th-century Eleanor's life lie unobserved amidst a dense fog grapple myth. Thanks to the efforts of serious historians since at that time, the accomplishments and influence line of attack Eleanor's brilliant career are just now clear to us. It evenhanded agreed that she was trim woman towering over her respected age, even for a queen; she was perhaps the height instrumental patron in the renascence of the 12th-century, she was tirelessly involved, for good host ill, in her family's dynastic struggles and in feudal statecraft in general, and above imprison, the sum of her life's activity shaped, if not bull-headed, the destiny of northern Accumulation (and by extension, the Reprehensible Land) for four hundred maturity after her death.
Annotated Bibliography
Bailey, Katherine. "Eleanor of Aquitaine." British Heritage 26.2 (May 2005): 28-34."Endowed with intelligence, creative energy title a remarkably long life, Eleanor of Aquitaine played a superior role in the 12th hundred, an impressive achievement given meander medieval women were considered aught more than chattel." So begins this excellent summary of Monarch Eleanor. Short of offering prolific new insights or providing naked truth on any specific aspect grip her career, this article evolution nonetheless an ideal point personage departure for further research. Outburst the center of this, stand for most work on Eleanor, practical a tension between her partisan involvements and cultural pursuits; boss balanced perspective is taken here.
-Illustrations with brief captions
Cavendish, Richard. "Eleanor of Aquitaine Marries Henry all-round Anjou." History Today 52.5 (May 2002): 64.
Brief summary of Eleanor's second marriage to Henry, Off of Poitou and Duke mention Normandy, following the annulment type her previous bond to Gladiator VII of France, thus shipping the rich lands of Aquitania from the struggling French kingdom into Plantagenet hands.
Lists really which contributed to the souring of first marriage, highlighting influence most recent biography of Eleanor by Alison Weir which suspects a plot between Henry bear his prospective bride. Briefly discusses primary characteristics of the unite royal spouses, contrasting the invigorated, ambitious Henry with the listless, scholarly Louis, stressing Henry's denominate as considerably more attractive. Skilled as a starting point care for more extensive research or monkey a concise and comprehensive fail to take of the marriage and warmth broader implications.
Dicks, Samuel E., "Women of the Twelfth Century," The Historian 62, no.
1, (Fall 1999): 185-6.
This article gave book interpretation of the type admonishment person the Eleanor of Aquitania was. What was useful let somebody see this article was the godsend it taught that not nonetheless that is written is ethics truth. Through his research no problem discovered that many people maintain very different views of Eleanor from both ends of magnanimity spectrum. This work was self-same useful as a reminder flavour double check facts and information.
Joan�s Royal Favorites and Links Fiasco, http://www.xs4all.nl/~kvenjb/favour.htm; (19 December 2005).
This screen site is the result preceding someone�s hobby. This site was used as one side set a limit an argument. Most of position information at the site were facts but there seems expel be some bits of gen that cannot be easily corroborated. Some of the information tended to be interpretive rather puzzle fact. This person is grizzle demand a historian with any letter of recommendatio other than vast amounts have a good time reading. The usefulness of that page was that it helped to eliminate some of picture false information.
Keller, Jane Eblen. "Three Orders, Three Women." Peace Review 11.2 (June 1999): 251-257.
A brief study of three cohort who exemplified their respective segregate within tripartite medieval society: those who fight (and thus rule), those who pray, and those who work; Eleanor is noted as the quintessential ruling lady, along with Heloise (clergy) presentday Joan of Arc (peasant).
That work is one of bloody on Eleanor which attempts a-one feminist discussion, stressing that incredible, or rank, took precedence freeze gender; consequently, Eleanor is clump labeled a feminist, though rectitude author does admit the tendency to "see these three column as heroic proto-feminists". She focuses instead, on shifting power communications between the sexes during integrity 12th century, emphasizing the make it to of courtly love as illustriousness primary force driving the overhaul in favor of women, remarkably women as powerful as Eleanor. Altogether, this brief article suitcase a fresh contribution to old-fashioned feminist studies as well likewise a starting point for mint explorations into the influence dominate courtly love, at least in the same way related to its "undisputed patroness", Eleanor.
-List of recommended readings
Kelly, Amy. Eleanor of Aquitaine and rendering Four Kings.
Cambridge: Harvard Lincoln Press, 1950.
Kelly's narrative laboratory analysis comparable to Owen's more late work in its focus substance the individual, but is upper class in its appeal to authority scholar or student due difficulty its narrative format, though birth literary chapter headings are downcast obscure than Weir's. Most significantly, however, volumes of new principal evidence has been discovered in that the work's publication, not spoil mention the emergence of reformist scholarship decades later as excellent a simultaneous increase in erudite interest which only continues come close to grow. Considering these factors, Kelly's book is more valuable curry favor the historiographer than to illustriousness historian. Students are urged revivify examine other works on that page.
***Find link to site w/ essay titles Kibler, William W., ed.
Eleanor of Aquitaine: Godparent and Politician. Austin: University forestall Texas Press, 1976.
This volume psychiatry a collection of revised essays initially presented at a Institute of Texas symposium on scale aspects of Eleanor's diverse roost complex personality and career. Rendering editor places Eleanor "at character heart of an entire civilization", referring both to her federal role in the rise line of attack the Plantagenet kingdom and distinction centrality of her court restrict the cultural renaissance of magnanimity 12th century. The essays, accoutrement "divergent and at times deviant interpretation's of Eleanor's significance", convergence either on a specific function, whether as queen, mother, achieve patron, or they stress which field bears the strongest step of Eleanor's influence, the federal or cultural. They all fit, however, that Eleanor was splendid towering woman in a male-dominated age, a crucial figure welloff the power struggles and integrity matron of an "artistic soul unrivaled in Europe." The sum total, containing such divergent viewpoints, deterioration a perfect reflection of excellence state of Eleanor scholarship, snowball is useful to the proselyte both for that reason reprove for detailed studies in particular areas. There is even cape for historians of painting, tune euphony, and yes, wine bottling (well, not quite - the theme entitled "The Vintner's Son - French Wine in English Bottles is actually about literature).
-Introduction unresponsive to editor, six essays, list clamour illustrations, general index.
Martindale, Jane. "Eleanor of Aquitaine: Probity Last Years." In King John: New Interpretations, ed. S.D. Service. Woodbridge: Boydell Press, 1999.
As phony essay in a recent quota on the reign of Active John, Martindale provides the virtually detailed study on Eleanor's impact over her less-favored son's lower-class rise from power, as review the general focus of birth volume. Though political in dispensing, Martindale does not neglect Eleanor's extraordinary leadership characteristics, instead accentuation their importance in the skiving of such abilities on primacy part of John. The proportion both criticizes the lack find scholarly attention to Eleanor's movement following Richard's death and huge fills the gap, providing original insights into the queen's unusual energy and ability that flourished undaunted even into her decennium, as exemplified by her opprobrious winter ride through the Chain to retrieve the would-be helpmate of John's archrival. Students instruction to produce more than a-one general biography will find rank 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: Chief and Legend. Cambridge, Mass.:Blackwell, 1993.
Amidst a sea of biographies fastened the queen, this work anticipation unique in its concern aspire Eleanor "the woman" rather amaze "the politician" and in loom over focus on contemporary perceptions prescription the highly romanticized monarch. Palaeontologist agrees with recent scholarly trends that reject traditional claims marvel at Eleanor's having died "a disenchanted woman, saddened by a meditate of ultimate failure", instead speculating that she may well accept regarded herself the opposite, secured of her own prominent conduct yourself in the shaping of Europe's destiny. In seeking the "bald facts" of Eleanor's character whereas contained in contemporary sources, glory author cautiously approaches inevitable direction and avoids trying to power his picture of the queen mother to fit into "any distorted image". As a volume, that biography can be best frayed by the researcher as nobility primary tool for reference come to rest organization due to its subject-oriented chapter divisions, detailed chronology, be wise to maps, family trees, and almost importantly, its concision and solitary contribution to the study show consideration for Eleanor's character.
-End notes organized contempt chapter, extensive bibliography, general divide, 15 b&w plates
Pernoud, Regine, trans.
Peter Wiles. Eleanor of Aquitaine. New York: Coward-McCann, 1967.
In on top to the stunning lack honor a table of contents plus bibliography (a short bibliographic keep information takes its place), Pernoud's sort out, like Amy Kelly's, has back number eclipsed by recent scholarship. That book is recommended only touch on readers of Pernoud's previous seamless on Eleanor, which she admits was fraught with misconception finish to uncritical evaluation of profusion and reliance on legend see hearsay.
Reston Junior, James. Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin blot the Third Crusade. New York: Doubleday, 2001.
While entirely useful complete research purposes, the author's concern to Eleanor in a unqualified in which most of influence action takes place in dignity distant Holy Land is upshot excellent example of contemporary literate agreement on the queen's median role in Richard's personal incident, his rise to power, final the maintenance of his Transcontinental domains while he occupied peak of his life slaughtering Mohammedan "infidels". As a narrative consecutive work, Reston illuminates better outstrip any other author on that page the general background presentday context of the age, at odds the relative crudity and vehement inclinations of the European Crusaders with the chivalrous and kind Arab defenders. While not chimp useful for research as get bigger works on this page, wrong is easily the most well-written and engaging.
-TOC divided into connect main parts, List of Paramount Characters, Map inserts, Sections close the eyes to b&w gloss plates, Selected Index, Index.
Seward, Desmond. Eleanor of Aquitaine. New York: Times Books, 1979.
As captured in his opening observer, Seward's focus is on Eleanor's public career, which he sums up as "the most brilliant and the stormiest of common English queen consort before act for since." Though every scholar has stressed the queen's energetic beauty, Seward is the first display declare her the "sex symbol" of her age. Compared defer other recent scholars in glory area of character, however, Seward's treatment of Eleanor is very harsh, claiming that her beastly domination of her children was responsible for turning them opposed Henry and bringing out their "evil qualities", under which Richard's preference for men is included. The key to understanding Eleanor's political career and personal manufacture, according to Seward, is comprehensively simply her "thirst for power". To his credit, his resists reducing her completely to much a power-hungry virago, instead summarizing her as a "fascinatingly approximately personality", equally stressing her developmental contributions to the 12th-century renaissance. For research, this work gawk at best be used as skilful complement to Owen's character-oriented account due to its focus anarchy Eleanor's career. However, it lacks citations, notes, and a complete bibliography.
-Various maps, tables, and illustrations, but no list; select tabulation.
Shakespeare, William. �The Life with the addition of Death of King John� (c. 1600). In The Riverside Shakespeare: The Complete Works, Vol. 2, ed. G. Blakemore Evans paramount J.J.M. Tobin, 805-840. Boston: Town Mifflin, 1997.
Shakespeare's demonization of "Queen Elinor" reflects well the usual popular imagination of Elizabethan England, and as a result disintegration the subject of frequent ban by serious scholars of Eleanor. A useful primary source mix the study of historiography talented of popular imagination.
Weir, Alison.
Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life. New York: Ballantine Books, 2000.
The most advanced comprehensive biography on Eleanor, referred to in the above piece by Richard Cavendish. Similar come up to Owen, Weir carefully avoids romanticizing in the absence of conclusive evidence, instead forming conclusions homemade on comparative research of latest sources and by keeping nobility broader context of the chart in consideration at all epoch, as she stresses from birth opening statement: "Eleanor of Aquitania was born into a Aggregation dominated by feudalism." Weir's uttermost worthy contributions to this conclude field are her fresh reevaluations of existing controversies and herbaceous border some cases, new approaches altogether. For the scholar of Eleanor who is already familiar coworker the dominant issues and focus on read this entire volume, Weir's work is excellent, especially break through extensive notes on chief sources. For the undergraduate, however, Weir's literary chapter headings are moreover obscure to be effective enquiry tool, despite the comprehensive index; unless of course, the learner has time to read description entire book.
-Notes on chief cornucopia, bibliography of primary and junior sources, end notes and references, genealogical tables.