Profession: Queen of France and England and Duchess of Aquitaine
Why Famous: One of the most powerful women in the Middle Ages, Eleanor of Aquitaine was the most eligible bride in Europe during her tenure as the Duchess of Aquitaine. She married the King of France, Louis VI, and became Queen consort of France, and took part in the Second Crusade.
After 15 years of marriage, she was granted an annulment, which Louis agreed to as the marriage had not produced a son. Almost immediately after she became engaged to the future Henry II of England, with whom she had five sons, three of whom became king: Richard the Lionheart, Henry the Young King and King John.
Her husband would imprison her during a revolt by their son Henry, and she would not be released until her son, Richard, ascended the throne. She lived well into the reign of her son, John.
Birthplace: Poitiers, Duchy of Aquitaine, Angevin Empire
Articles and Photos
The Most Expensive Divorce in History
Beautiful and rich, Eleanor of Aquitaine had one fault according to the King of France: she had not produced a son. So on this day they were divorced.
March 21, 1152Enter King John – England's Worst-Ever Monarch
Most historians have difficulty finding a good word to say about King John who was born on this day and by general agreement ranks as England’s worst monarch.
December 24, 1167The Queen Who Never Saw Her Realm
Born in Spain, married in Cyprus, died in France, this wife of a warrior king was never to set foot in the land where she was hailed as Queen.
May 12, 1191
Married Life
- 1137-07-15 Louis dauphin of France (later Louis VII) (17) marries Eleanor of Aquitaine (about 15) at Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux
- 1152-03-21 In one of the most expensive divorces in history, French King Louis VII is granted an annulment from Eleanor of Aquitaine on the grounds of consanguinity (being from the same kinship as another person)
- 1152-05-18 Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Henri of Anjou, handing the future King Henry II of England most of France, allowing future kings of England to claim France for centuries thereafter
Historical Events
- 1146-03-31 Bernard of Clairvaux preaches his famous sermon in a field at Vézelay, urging the necessity of a Second Crusade. Louis VII and Eleanor of Aquitaine are present and join the Crusade
- 1148-07-24 Louis VII of France lays siege to Damascus during the Second Crusade
- 1148-07-28 Second Crusade: Crusaders abandon their siege of Damascus
Agrippina the Younger
Catherine of Aragon
Elizabeth of Russia
Margaret of Anjou
Margrethe II
Wilhelmina of the Netherlands