[close] The beautiful, brilliant daughter of the Duke of Aquitaine, Eleanor grows up in one of Europes most dazzling courts, the birthplace of courtly love. In 1137, she is only 15 when her father dies suddenly, leaving her heir to the richest province in Franceand an irresistible prize for the first baron who rides in to kidnap her and seize her lands. While his advisers condemn it as madness to expose Eleanor to such danger, the duke is convinced that beyond her youth and loveliness lie the brains of a man and the soul of a warrior. Upon his death, Eleanor hatches a scheme to marry King Louis himself. But, despite her determination to hold up her end of the bargain, Eleanor learns she has more courage and conviction than her husband, and must eventually strike her own path out of a loveless marriage to an even greater alliance with Henry II of England. Sweeping from the French countryside to the courts of Paris to the perils of the Crusades, Duchess of Aquitaine introduces one of the most powerful, resourceful, and intriguing women in all of history. [close]