Title
Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life,Used
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Renowned in her time for being the most beautiful woman in Europe, the wife of two kings and mother of three, Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the great heroines of the Middle Ages. Despite the fact she lived in an age in which women were regarded as little more than chattel, Eleanor managed to defy convention as she exercised power in the political sphere and crucial influence over her husbands and sons. In this beautifully written new biography, Alison Weir, author of five widely acclaimed chronicles of England's royal rulers, paints a vibrant portrait of this truly exceptional woman, and provides new insights into her intimate life.Born in 1122 into the sophisticated and cultured court of Poitiers, Eleanor came of age in a world of luxury, intrigue, bloody combat, and unbridled ambition. At only fifteen, she inherited one of the great fortunes of Europethe prize duchy of Aquitaineyet her father had been shrewd enough to realize that her future security lay in a powerful marriage. Consequently the sensual Duchess submitted to a union with the handsome but sexually withholding Louis VII, the teenage king of France. The marriage endured for fifteen fraught years, until Eleanor finally succeeded in having it annulledonly to enter an even stormier match with the aggressively virile, hottempered Henry of Anjou, who would soon ascend to the English throne as Henry II.As Weir traces the fascinating intersection of public and private lives in Europe's twelfthcentury courts, Eleanor comes to life as a complex, boldly original woman who transcended the mores of society. Eventually, after enduring Henry's flagrant infidelities, she showed herself a formidable and dangerous enemy of the King's interests by plotting to overthrow him with their sons Henry, Richard, and Geoffrey. A tireless political fighter and a born survivor, the humbled Queen emerged from sixteen years of imprisonment, age sixtyseven, to rule England with wisdom and panache during the absence of her son, King Richard the Lion Heart, while he fought in the ruinous Third Crusade.Eleanor of Aquitaine lived a long life of many contrasts, of splendor and desolation, power and peril, and in this stunning biography, Alison Weir captures the womanand the queenin all her glory. With astonishing historic detail, mesmerizing pageantry, and irresistible accounts of royal scandal and intrigue, Weir recreates not only a remarkable personality but a magnificent past era. Eleanor of Aquitaine is the crowning achievement of an extraordinary career.
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- Q: What is the main subject of 'Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life'? A: The book details the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, a powerful and influential woman in the Middle Ages, known for her marriages to two kings and her significant political impact.
- Q: Who is the author of this biography? A: The author of 'Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life' is Alison Weir, a renowned historian known for her works on England's royal history.
- Q: When was 'Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life' published? A: The book was published on January 25, 2000.
- Q: What is the format of the book? A: This biography is available in hardcover format.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book has 464 pages.
- Q: What edition of the book is available? A: The book is available in its first edition.
- Q: Is the book in good condition? A: Yes, the item condition is listed as 'Good'.
- Q: What themes are explored in 'Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Life'? A: The book explores themes of power, gender roles in the Middle Ages, political intrigue, and the personal life of Eleanor as a queen.
- Q: Is there any background information about Eleanor of Aquitaine? A: Eleanor was born in 1122 and became the Duchess of Aquitaine at a young age, later marrying Louis VII of France and Henry II of England.
- Q: What insights does the author provide about Eleanor's life? A: Alison Weir provides insights into Eleanor's political strategies, personal struggles, and her role in historical events, including her imprisonment and her influence over her sons.