by Jacquie Schmall

Created on: August 26, 2008

Without question, I would interview Eleanor of Aquitaine, one of the most powerful women to grace the pages of a history book. She was born around 1122 and died in 1204. For the times in which she lived, her longevity alone is remarkable. In consideration of her complex life, beginning with her marriage to the future Louis vII of France at fifteen, and the 10-14 years she spent in prison, her ability to survive and thrive is very impressive. Did I mention she had two daughters with Louis, and later bore eight additional cherubs while married to Henry II the King of England?

I can't remember when I first saw the "Lion In Winter", a film that chronicles the tumultuous relationship Eleanor had with her ever philandering husband Henry. The film relates their compelling story, acted by Katherine Hepburn, and Peter O'Toole. The film proffers the dank and dreary castles of those times, as a fitting background to the heated relationship between the two main characters. All I can say is, it's a good thing there is no bouquet package that accompanies films portraying those early times. Each time I watch the film, I cannot help but notice the long draped clothing she wore, and remember they had no easy way to clean them or remove odiferous remains of their day to day activities.

I can't remember the last time I saw the film either, which means it's time to rent it again. The film is thick with intrigue and twisted destinies, acted superbly by two of the best actors to ever appear in a Hollywood film. According to some review of the film, it does, in the Hollywood tradition, present some inaccuracies about her life.

Eleanor was fifteen when Henry the Fat arranged for her to marry his son Louis. It was a land grab of the Duchy of Aquitaine, not a romantic interlude. When their marriage only produced daughters, it was annulled. Shortly thereafter she married Henry. In her very young life, she had been the Queen of France, and then she became the Queen of England. Somewhere in the mix of those early years, she rode into the Crusades, dressed like an Amazon. Eleanor survived, and went on to bear all those children, two of whom became kings of England.

Less well known is the fact that her legacy was that of a troubadour, and she was responsible for spreading the music of the times from France to England and beyond. It would have gotten around anyway, but she helped the process along.

There's a lot more to Eleanor of Aquitaine's life, and I would very much love to sit down with her, and find out all the gossip the history books missed. What a woman she was. Sadly, there is little information about her appearance, although she was a great beauty.

I don't know why I never bought a copy of the 'Lion In Winter" before now. Well, better late than never.

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