June
20
/ 2020
Eleanor of Aquitaine is considered to have been one of the wealthiest and most powerful women of medieval Europe during the 12 th century. For a start, Eleanor was Duchess of Aquitaine in her own right, which made her the most eligible bride on the continent at that time. Subsequently, she became the Queen of France, and then Queen of England. During her second marriage, she produced eight children, seven of whom survived till adulthood. Three of Eleanor’s sons became kings, whilst two of her daughters became queens. Eleanor wielded considerable political power as queen, and even as queen dowager after her husband’s death. Apart from that, Eleanor was also a generous patron of the arts. As one of the
