Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor was first married to Prince Louis VII, heir apparent of the French throne on July 25, 1137 in the Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux by the Archbishop of Bordeaux. Immediately thereafter, the couple was enthroned as Duke and Duchess of Aquitaine.

King Louis VI’s passed away on August 1, 1137. Following his death, Prince Louis VII and Eleanor were anointed and crowned King and Queen of France on December 25, 1137. The couple was blessed with two daughters.

Strife between the two and Eleanor’s inability to produce a male heir led to her separation with King Louis VII. Their marriage was annulled in 1152. Two months later, she married Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy. In 1154, the two were anointed and crowned the King and Queen of England.

Eleanor of Aquitaine was born to William X, Duke of Aquitaine and Aenor de Châtellerault. Though the exact year and place of birth is unknown, it is speculated that she was born on either 1122 or 1124 in Poitiers, Bordeaux, or Nieul-sur-l'Autise.

A well-educated and well trained young girl, Eleanor excelled at studies, domestic skills, games and extra-curricular activities. Additionally, she was proficient in music, literature, riding, hawking, and hunting.

Tragedy struck Eleanor early in life as her mother and younger brother passed away in the spring of 1130. Following their death, she became the eldest legitimate heir to her father’s domain, followed by her younger sister Aelith.

In 1137, Eleanor and her sister accompanied their father to Bordeaux. While the Duke left for the Shrine of Saint James of Compostela, the two sisters stayed under the guardianship of Archbishop of Bordeaux.

Unknown circumstances led to the death of the Duke of Aquitaine on April 9, 1137. Following his death, Eleanor took over as the Duchess of Aquitaine. However, the real governance lay under King Louis VI of France, her legal guardian.

Until Eleanor was married, King Louis VI had the legal right to Eleanor's lands. Lured by the greed to increase the power and prominence of France by taking complete control of the most desirable dukedom in France, King Louis VI immediately arranged a marriage between his son and heir apparent, Prince Louis and Duchess of Aquitaine.

Following her marriage to Prince Louis, the couple was enthroned as Duke and Duchess of Aquitaine. However, with the death of King Louis VI, Prince Louis and Eleanor were anointed and crowned King and Queen of France on December 25, 1137.

Queen Eleanor’s strong willed and high spirited nature did not go too well with the French public. She was constantly rebuked and criticized by King Louis’ mother and church elders and labelled as flighty woman with a bad influence.