Christian Women in the Medieval Era – Part 28

Queen Eleanor of England

Introduction:

 With stories as thrilling as those of Brigid of Ireland, Frideswide, Dhuoda, Euphrosyne, Adelheid and Eleanor of Aquitaine I find it hard to understand why Medieval history gets passed over in schools. There are many hundreds of exciting stories about women that took place for the thousand or so years from 500 AD to 1500 AD. People who lived in Medieval times led very full and productive lives. Advances in all areas of culture were taking place. On this blog that is dedicated to the stories of women in history, we have touched on only a few of the many women who made great contributions to society.

So far, we have looked at the stories of women from the earliest Middle Ages such as Genovefa, Brigid of Ireland and Radegund[1] (5^th and 6^th centuries). Then we moved on to the 7^th and 8^th centuries with stories of abbesses and queens such as Gertrude, Frideswide, and Lioba. We continued with the stories of 9^th and 10^thcentury women such as Dhuoda (writer and Theologian), and Irene, Euphrosyne, and Theodora who were Byzantine empresses. Then we presented the story of the amazingly gifted Hrotsvitha, a poet and a playwright whose works are still influential today. We progressed to the 11^th and 12^th centuries with the stories of strong, passionate, and gifted empresses, queens and princesses including Empress Adelheid, Queen Margaret of Scotland and Anna Komnene. Let’s continue this week with Part 4 of the story of a most remarkable 12^thcentury woman, Eleanor of Aquitaine who was the wife of two kings and the mother, grandmother, and ancestress of many more.

 Queen Eleanor of England (1122-1204) – Part 4

Review from Parts 1 – 3[2]

Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most remarkable women of the Middle Ages. From an early age Eleanor demonstrated her intelligence, political acuity, strength and determination to live an extraordinary life. Many scholars have not given her the credit she deserves for the part that she played in most of the important events in Europe in the twelfth century. While queen of France Eleanor worked by the king’s side even following him to the Crusades. King Louis proved to be weak and ineffectual. Eleanor sought and obtained a separation from him. That was an extremely unusual accomplishment for a woman of those times, especially a queen. It would not be the only way that Eleanor would prove that she would refuse to submit to the traditional roles for women.

Following her annulment, Eleanor married the man of her choice – Duke Henry of Normandy – realizing the potential of an alliance with him. Once married they ruled much of what is now modern-day France as Duke and Duchess of Aquitaine, Normandy, and Anjou. This was a huge territory compared to the comparatively small kingdom of France that Louis was left with after the annulment. (See the map below.)

As a descendant of King Henry I, Henry was in line for the English throne. When King Stephen died, Henry and Eleanor traveled to England. There they were crowned King Henry II and Queen Eleanor of England. They continued to rule on the continent as well. Eleanor had eight children with Henry – five sons (William, Henry, Richard, Geoffrey, and John) and three daughters (Matilda, Eleanor, and Joanna). Eleanor still loved to travel and went on the rounds throughout England with Henry, sometimes while pregnant, dispensing justice to the people. King Stephen had left much turmoil; Henry tried to restore law. Eleanor did her part in promoting peace and justice wherever she went.

Over the next twenty years Eleanor bravely faced Henry’s cruelty and betrayal as he tried to install his mistress in Eleanor’s place. Eleanor left for the continent and ruled in Aquitaine while Henry carried on his cruel, unjust rule in England. Eleanor gave generously to the poor, rebuilt churches, and spread peace and justice wherever she went. The people of Aquitaine loved their duchess as much as the English loved their queen. (While Queen of England Eleanor was Duchess of Aquitaine.)

Eleanor’s court in Aquitaine became the site of “courtly love” and chivalry. Her sons and daughters were growing up. Her sons had conflicts with their father the king and lost. Eleanor had supported them. Henry put her in prison for the next fifteen years. During this time her son Prince Henry died, leaving the throne open for Richard who would be known in history as Richard the Lionheart.

In 1189, Henry II died. Richard returned to England to be crowned king. You might think that at age sixty-seven Eleanor would retire. Her favorite son was now on the throne. Perhaps she could just relax and enjoy her golden years. No way. She took up where she left off many years before with seemingly as much vitality and determination as ever.

Part 4

Richard was now king of England. He sent one of his knights to free his mother, but she was already free. Her jailors did not dare keep her confined once they found out that Henry was dead. Eleanor went out of prison an older and much wiser woman yet still full of vitality plans for the future.

Eleanor took part in Richard’s coronation. He became known as “Richard the Lionheart”. Eleanor traveled all over England building up goodwill for her son. She used her authority to bring about some needed reforms. She instituted uniform systems of coins and of weights and measures so that they would be the same in every town. This would end much confusion for buyers and sellers and further justice in trade.

Eleanor sought to undo some of Henry’s burdens on the people. She removed the requirement for abbeys and monasteries to stable the king’s horses. Henry placed this expensive burden on the abbeys and monasteries just so he would have fresh horses when he went hunting. The monks were grateful for their good queen.

Eleanor also relaxed Henry’s strict forest rules which made all forests his own private hunting ground. Eleanor saw to it that it was possible for people to live and hunt in the forests. Her restoration of the forests to the people may have given rise to the legend of “Robin Hood”. Stories of Robin Hood have been around for centuries. There are many versions, some more plausible than others. Most historians agree that behind such persistent legends there probably existed a real person. Could it have been the disgruntled Robert of Locksley in Sir Walter Scott’s Ivanhoe?

The popular movie, “Robin Hood” gives many historical details, but unfortunately leaves out the fact that Queen Eleanor really did have it altogether and was ruling well in spite of “Bad Prince John”. The bad prince, the sheriff, Friar Tuck, and Maid Marion made an interesting movie, but for me the real story of the majestic Eleanor is much more exciting.

When Richard left to go on the Third Crusade with King Philip, Eleanor ruled in his place. A regent had been appointed, but Richard put his trust in his mother. Eleanor became the de facto ruler from the borders of Scotland to the Pyrenees. While Richard was away Prince John made many attempts to seize the throne, but Eleanor kept control.

Richard eventually married Berengaria and had her crowned queen. Eleanor was now the Queen Mother, but everyone knew that she was watching over England for Richard. They were happy to see her sign herself “Eleanor, by the Grace of God, Queen of England.”

In 1192 the Third Crusade was over. It ended in a truce. The people of England were begging their king to come home. Unfortunately, Richard was shipwrecked near northern Italy. While passing through Germany he was captured and held for ransom. Eleanor knew that she had to pay the ransom and get Richard home as quickly as possible. Hoping that Richard was dead, John made an alliance with King Philip to help him strike at Queen Eleanor and win the throne.

Eleanor ordered all of the castles to strengthen themselves against invasion. She turned to other Christian leaders in Europe for help including the pope. In addition to this challenge for Eleanor, the Germans had demanded a huge ransom. Eleanor took charge of raising the funds. Everyone contributed – individuals, churches, and monasteries. It took a year, but eventually Eleanor was ready to load the chests of silver and go to Germany to free her son. Prince John and King Philip tried to stall by bribing the Germans, but Eleanor paid the ransom and Richard was freed and went home as a hero.

While Richard was away many vassals had pledged allegiance to John. Eleanor traveled around England making sure that all returned to loyalty to Richard. Then to assure Richard’s rule, Eleanor put on a second coronation. She stood on the dais with her son. Queen Berengaria was touring Italy and did not attend.

Richard reigned for ten years.  In 1199 he responded to a rumor of hidden treasure at the castle of Chalus. When Richard arrived at the castle, an archer shot at him from the battlements. The bolt struck him in the neck. He realized that he might not make it and sent for Eleanor. The barb had torn through too much flesh and Richard died from gangrene in a few days. He died in his mother Eleanor’s arms. She attended his funeral at Fontevrault, where he was buried near his father.

Richard named his brother John as the heir to the throne. Eleanor had outlived four of her sons and only her least-favorite son remained. Eleanor was now seventy-seven, but this still-energetic queen turned her attention to supporting her son John as king. King John and King Philip made a peace treaty. In 1200 at age seventy-eight Eleanor left her comfortable home to go on a mission that would ensure the new peace between England and France.

Still going strong at age seventy-eight, Eleanor would now travel to Spain to choose one of her granddaughters as a bride for the prince. In order to get there, Eleanor had to travel over the great Pyrenees Mountains. What a delight for this aging queen to travel to Spain to visit her daughter Eleanor, Queen of Castile. What joy for her to see her daughter after thirty years of separation! Daughter Eleanor had eleven children. Mother Eleanor was to choose the most eligible of her granddaughters for the Prince. The French Prince was the grandson of her former husband King Louis of France. She chose Blanche of Castile who would be a very wise and able queen and the mother of the great king and saint, Louis IX. Eleanor visited for several months, then escorted her daughter Blanche to Fontevrault.

Eleanor traveled to Aquitaine to ensure the people’s support for King John. While in Aquitaine, Eleanor saw the devastation of so much war and the need for peace. Never mind that she was nearly eighty years old, the intrepid Duchess Eleanor visited villages and towns and granted them charters to run their own governments. No longer would they have to serve their overlords. Thanks to Eleanor’s charters the towns now took pride in defending themselves, improving life for their citizens, maintaining order and furthering trade.

Sadly, the English/French peace came to an end in 1202. King John’s underhanded scheming ways showed up as he stole away a bride meant for a noble from Normandy. King Philip demanded an apology; John refused. Philip declared all of the continental lands that were under the Plantagenet rule forfeit. He invaded Normandy.

If you think at age eighty Eleanor was too weak to defend her lands you would be mistaken. The intrepid queen traveled to Poitiers and roused her vassals to defend her land. On the way, a treacherous grandson, Arthur tried to kidnap her and hold her for ransom. Arthur was the son of Prince Geoffrey, John’s older brother, and he felt that he had a better claim to the throne. He made a try for it by trying to bargain with his captive grandmother. While in captivity, Eleanor strung him along until King John could come to her rescue.

King John arrived and freed Queen Eleanor. Arthur was thrown into prison. Once again, Eleanor had endured the machinations of those who would use or abuse her. Now at age eighty, this was her last adventure. Finally, Eleanor would be able to rest.

She traveled to her beloved Poitiers for the last time. Then she took comfort at the abbey of Fontevrault in the care of the nuns there.

In the spring of 1204, on April 1, while the beautiful buds of the yellow broom plant were opening, Eleanor passed away. She had outlived two husbands and most of her children. She was buried at Fontevrault near Richard and Henry. Today you can still see an effigy there of Queen Eleanor and King Richard the Lionheart.

There is one interesting artifact that remains that scholars are certain belonged to Eleanor. It is called the “Eleanor” vase and it is a beautiful vessel made of rock crystal. She gave it to her future husband, King Louis VII in 1137 as a wedding gift. You can see it at the Louvre.

Few women in the Middle Ages or at any time can equal the courageous, vigorous, wise, just, and magnanimous Queen Eleanor of England.

[1] Radegund’s influence was felt for centuries. This amazing queen was an inspiration for Eleanor of Aquitaine.

[2] See posts on August 4, 2020, August 18, 2020, and September 8, 2020.