What was the role of Eleanor of Aquitaine, and how important was

she to medieval England and France?

Eleanor of Aquitaine posed a role of great importance, not only to medieval England and
France, but to Europe. Often recalled as; the grandmother of Europe, Eleanor of Aquitaine
is considered to be the most powerful woman of her era.

During her lifetime, Eleanor was queen consort of France, and England, and then was
regent to England, for her son, King Richard.

She had great political power, and influence, sparking the rebellion of her son’s against
their father, King Henry II of England. She was a leader in the 2nd crusade, and took 300
women to fight, and nurse. Eleanor held a firm grip on her title, and the power associated
with it.

What marked the beginning of her importance was the matrimonial union between herself,
and Louis VII of France. They wed in July 1137, which joined the duchy of Aquitaine,
intermitted to Eleanor upon her father’s death with the French monarchy.

They were married for 15 years, and during that time, Eleanor helped lead the 2nd
crusade to the Holy Lands, taking 300 women and nurses to fight. During her time as
queen, Eleanor often pressed the scholarly Louis to perilous ventures.

During their marriage, they produced only two daughters. Unhappy with Louis, Eleanor
had their marriage annulled, on the grounds of them being too closely related. The, just 8
weeks later, she married Henry II. Their union was a simple ceremony, Eleanor at 30 years
of age, and Henry at 18.

With such a plain matrimony, no one suspected the importance and effect their marriage
would have on Europe. Eleanor’s marriage to Henry II united the west of France, all which
included in the duchy of Aquitaine, which Eleanor had managed to keep upon the
evaporation of her marriage to Louis, Normandy, and England.

One of the most significant events garnering Eleanor’s power was her political influence,
inclusive of her contributions that led to the founding of Europe’s royal bloodline. During
her marriage to Henry, she bore him 5 sons, much to the distaste of Louis.
Then, in 1173, she rebelled against Henry, with 3 of her sons, Richard, Henry and
Geoffrey. Richard, Henry and Geoffrey fled to France, under the safety of Henry’s father-
in-law, and Eleanor’s ex-husband, Louis VII.

Eleanor attempted to join her sons, but was imprisoned by Henry, and resided for 16 years
imprisoned, until the death of Henry II in July 1189. Before her imprisonment, Eleanor
provided large military support for her sons, and may have even incited the rebellion.

When her son Richard rose to power after his father’s death (1189), Eleanor was released,
and helped her son rule. When Richard, otherwise known as Richard the Lion-heart, went
on his 1190 crusade, and Eleanor was appointed regent. During this 4 year period,
Eleanor defended England and Richard’s empire from invaders, also keeping the
scheming John at bay.

When Richard returned to England in 1194, he was there for only a month before
disappearing to Normandy, spending his last years fighting Phillip II of Spain, and was
fatally wounded and killed in April 1199.

This allowed John to be crowned, as, Richard had not produced an heir. Eleanor
supported John in his crowning, and during his time as king, she defended Anjou and
Aquitaine from Arthur Brittany for John. During the last years of her life, she travelled
herself, to the court of Castile to bring her grand-daughter Blanche, and wed her to the son
of the french king in 1200. She played a vital role in this matrimony.

Eleanor died in 1204, as one of the most important women in Europe. Her role in the
bloodline of Europe earned her the title of Grandmother of Europe. She inherited the
duchy of Aquitaine, which made her union to Louis possible, but beyond her title, she
proved herself to play a vital role in the very founding of Europe’s royal bloodline.

She was important in the sense that she maintained the ownership of lands, and laid out a
‘pure’ bloodline for the royalty of Europe.