by Larry Lounsbury

Created on: June 13, 2009

Eleanor of Aquitaine 1147 A.D.

When it came to influencing the countries of France and England, Eleanor of Aquitaine of 1147 France was one of the most influential women of her time. Her marriages and education formed an alliance with France and England that grafted both nations together for a time, through the mutual bonds of marriage and religion.

I chose Eleanor of Aquitaine because she was a woman who acted upon her beliefs.

Dressed as an Amazon warrior of ancient Greek Legend, she galloped through the crowds On a white stead, encouraging both the men and women to join the Crusades (1)

Eleanor was not only brave and noble, but relected the spirit of the an Amazons willingness to sacrifice their own life for others.(2) She inspired the people of Vzelay by appearing on a white stead, imitating past male Kings such as William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.(3) Her birth, education and religious upbringing prepared her to deal with the wealth and fame that went with becoming a queen.

The future Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine was born from a family of wealthy and powerful Dukes of southern France. Her father was William, descendent of WilliamIX Of Aquitaine of southern France. When all of her family died, she was left heir to her father's vast fortune. She was highly educated by her loving father, who died suddenly while on a religious pilgrimage from food poisoning. Her father made arrangements prior to his untimely death to have Eleanor to marry King Louis the Fat's son the age of just fifteen. Shortly thereafter the wedding honeymoon was interrupted by the sudden death of King Louis the Fat. This quickly made Eleanor's husband King and her Queen of France.(4) Alas, this marriage was not to last, neither did she bare any Male children for her French King. She went on the second crusade with her husband, bringing along with her three hundred women and one thousand fighting vessels. Although the women were dressed in armor and carried lances, they never fought. Her explanation to the church was based that she wished to help "tend the wounded". The second crusade failed along with Eleanors marriage to King Louis VII. Although marriage was considered a sacrament by the Catholic Church she was able to have it annulled and later unite two kingdoms by actions.

Eleanor of Aquitaine was able to supersede and suspend the power of the church in order to divorce her first husband and retrieve her vast estates back into

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