Eleanor of Aquitaine Essay example -- History Historical Rulers Queen

Eleanor of AquitaineWhen viewing the Middle Ages, it is often assumed that women had little if no political power. However, there are certain women that still stand out in the minds of historians, regardless of whether they are queens or commoners. These women ruled vast domains either directly or indirectly, and have influenced umpteen other women to do the same. One such figure was Eleanor of Aquitaine. Although her name is rarely mentioned in history books, her lineage burn down be found in almost every noble house in Europe. She not only embodied the virtues of a noble woman, but she was similarly a charismatic strong leader. Her opinion was often heeded in matters of state as well as personal struggles. Truly a remarkable woman, she has shown what macrocosm a cunning and graceful queen can do for a country. Eleanor was born in 1122, to William X and Anor of Aquitaine. Eleanors father, the Duke of Aquitaine, ruled a large munificent kingdom that was rich in wine and rolling verdant hills (Dahmus 179). The young Eleanor grew up in a court of Troubadours who sang of courtly love and women. Her grandfather, William IX, is attribute as being one of the first Troubadours who brought lyric poetry to life, and her own father continued the tradition (Dahmus 180). Eleanor, having been blessed with good looks, is attributed with being the subject of many of these verses and of inspiring men to sing to women of high station ( consort). These happy times however, were short lived when at the age of five, Eleanors father died (Troubadour). On his deathbed, her father pass along that she be given to Louis VI in order to wed one of his sons (Dahmus 181). This was done, and Eleanor and Louis VII were wed in the summer of 1137.Although this seemed to be... ...to wield power while obeying her hubbys commands. Few men or women in history were able to better utilize their many talents in order to accomplish their goals. Works CitedConsort of Love and Letters. 1 Apr . 1998. <http//spectrum.net/dede/eleanor.htm (A word of caution to the readers Lyn Reeses Women in World History suggested this web-site. It was written by a high school student and could integrate errors)Dahmus, Joseph. Seven Medieval Queens. New York Doubleday & Company, Inc, 1972. Duby, Georges. Women of the Twelfth Century. Great Britain The University of Chicago Press, 1997. Eleanor of Aquitaine. Women in World History Curriculum. Ed. Lyn Reese. 1999. 16 Apr. 2000. <http//www.womeninhistory.com/EofAreturns.html The Troubadours Daughter. Suite 101. <http//www.geocities.com/Athens/7545/Eleanor.html