Eleanor of Aquitaine: The Mother Queen

by Desmond Seward

"Beautiful, ambitious and powerful, both revered and reviled throughout history, Eleanor of Aquitaine was one of the most controversial and colorful personalities of the Middle Ages." "Heir to the grand duchy of Aquitaine, Queen of France - as the wife of Louis VII - and then married to Henry II, she became the most prominent woman in England. Many saw her as a ruthless virago, governed by a lust for power, who schemed against her husband and dominated the lives of her sons, Richard the Lionheart and King John. Shakespeare portrayed her as a 'monstrous injurer of heaven and earth'." Yet there was another side to this powerful queen consort. Worshipped by men and idealized in the songs of the troubadors, she was the sex symbol of her age. She also became renowned as a generous and strong ruler, throwing off the constraints that shackled twelfth-century women. Among her achievements was her patronage of the abbey at Fontevrault, a refuge for battered wives.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Medieval, British Literature, Historical, France

264 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Desmond Seward was an Anglo-Irish popular historian and the author of over two dozen books. He was educated at Ampleforth and St, Catherine's College, Cambridge. He was a specialist in England and France in the Middle Ages and the author of some thirty books, including biographies of Eleanor of Aquitane, Henry V, Richard III, Marie Antoinette and Metternich.

Reviews

[Julia Simpson-Urrutia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with those who think Goodreads should offer half stars. My main problem with this pretty interesting book is what Seward gets wrong at the offset: the unaccountable blossoming of the south of France as a fountain of chivalry and appreciation of women. This is a standard attitude of Western historians who want to suppress anything good that might have come from mixing with Muslims. The Muslims had their Golden Age too, for centuries, but predominantly Catholic chroniclers would rather lump them into the "awful pagans" category along with Vikings, Arians (Christians) and Priscillians (Christians). Let's just ignore that Spain was a Muslim country for over 700 years, and gee whiz, it is right next door to the south of France. The kind of Islam practiced in Al Andalus is nothing like what we see today. Proof? They loved to read. They loved books.

So if I start a book and see that stubborn frame of mind from the get go, I cannot help but ask myself what else is going to be slanted to the way the writer wants to see the world?

I speak as an incredibly white, sun-burnable, raised-Christian Caucasian Muslim convert who does not accept anything written on paper without critical thought.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are only three reasons I dislike reading history books and this one scored big on two out of three. History books are either 1) annoying because they are dreadfully written, turgid and unbearable, or 2)annoying because they remind me of so much that i feel I ought to know but don't, or 3)annoying because they shatter long-cherished illusions.
Seward's biography of Eleanor, queen of a good chunk of modern France, wife of England's King Henry II and mother of both Richard the Lionheart and King John, passes the first test: easily readable, concise, flowing prose. The second test reminded me how my knowledge of my own country's history is sadly lacking and this period is almost totally informed by various Robin Hood movies, and as far as the third test.... Well: to find out that Richard Coeur de Lion, Knight, Hero, Crusader, Vanquisher of Saladin, Scourge of the Weaselly John was actually a homosexual Mummy's Boy. Suffice it to say, it was not my childhood vision of him.
So by rights and by my own criteria, this book should have annoyed me intensely. Instead it educated, re-educated and entertained me. What more do you want from history?

[Katherine 黄爱芬 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor of Aquitane jelas adalah wanita yg luar biasa sepanjang masa. Sejarah sudah mencatatnya sbg Ratu selama dua kali, Ratu Perancis dan Ratu Inggris. Tidak banyak wanita dlm sejarah yg bisa mengukir prestasi sedahsyat dirinya apalagi wanita yg hidup di alam patriarkhal yg hanya menganggap wanita sbg obyek dan bahkan dianggap makhluk berdosa di abad pertengahan pd masa Eleanor hidup.

Buku ini mengisahkan biografi sekaligus sejarah Inggris dan Perancis di era medieval ini. Saat ayahnya meninggal dlm usia belia, Eleanor dipaksa menikah dgn Louis VII, dari Dinasti Kapetia sekaligus raja Perancis pd masa itu. Pernikahan mereka yg tidak bahagia memperlihatkan kekontrasan kepribadian maupun penampilan mereka. Eleanor yg masih belia menyukai tantangan (ikut dlm Perang Salib dgn suaminya ini) dan kemewahan, sedangkan Louis yg sangat saleh ini sangat sederhana dan juga amat religius. Tidak heran perceraian mereka tak terelakkan lagi.

Tapi gak butuh waktu lama bagi Eleanor krn Henry II yg saat itu blm menjadi raja Inggris, memutuskan utk menikahi janda kaya dan berkuasa ini. Walau Henry lebih muda 11 thn dr Eleanor, suaminya ini sangat perkasa dan dominan, usia Eleanor sudah sangat matang saat menjadi ibu pertama kali (30 thn) dan melahirkan 8 anak (7 diantaranya hidup dan beranjak dewasa). Eleanor menyimpan hasrat ambisinya di mata suaminya sehingga saat anak-anaknya beranjak dewasa utk melawan ayah mereka. Pemberontakan mereka gagal dan Eleanor dijadikan "tahanan politik" oleh suaminya dgn dipindah-pindahkan ke berbagai kastil.

Keberuntungan Eleanor bangkit setelah kematian suaminya dan naiknya Richard, anak kesayangannya menjadi Raja Inggris. Richard memperoleh popularitas tinggi sejak kemenangannya dari Perang Salib, tapi saat pulang ke Inggris, Richard malah ditawan dan dimintai tebusan tinggi. Siapa lagi yg mengatur uang penebusan itu kalau bukan ibunda tercintanya yg sangat lihay ini. Eleanor adalah negarawan yg sangat cerdik dan piawai, terlihat saat dia menjadi pengganti Richard yg berperang di Yerusalem. Eleanor memang haus kekuasaan tetapi dia juga bijak membaca situasi dan tidak memaksakan keinginannya scr langsung. Ini terlihat dari dukungannya pd John, anak bungsunya yg dia restui utk menggantikan Richard walau John sangat tidak populer dan antitesis dgn kakaknya yg sangat ksatria itu.

Di akhir hidupnya Eleanor masih energetik dgn "mondar-mandir" antara Inggris dan daratan Eropa utk menggalang kekuatan politik dan diplomasi (perlu diingat transportasi zaman dulu senyaman-nyamannya tetap saja terombang-ambing di lautan dgn badai yg silih berganti dan tidak bisa diprediksi). Sayangnya anaknya yg kompeten cuma Richard seorang. Sehebat-hebatnya Eleanor, sekuat-kuatnya fisik dan staminanya (Eleanor hidup dua kali lipat dari rata-rata usia orang pada zaman tsb, sekitar 30-40 thn) akhirnya "jatuh" juga krn Raja John yg tamak, licik tapi lemah pd keinginan duniawi yg mengakibatkan semua kerja keras Eleanor utk menciptakan perdamaian, ambyar semua.

Buku ini memang mengetengahkan politik yg rumit pd era medieval itu tetapi cukup jelas dlm penjelasannya sehingga saya ada gambaran terang ttg pandangan dan geografi politik (cuma sayangnya gak ada gambar peta Inggris dan Perancis pd abad tsb). Dan yg paling utama adalah sepak terjang Eleanor "mencerahkan" pandangan saya bhw menjadi wanita hebat itu tidak mudah, butuh usaha kerja keras dan kesabaran, mau belajar di usia berapapun utk menjadi bijaksana, melawan dgn gigih apapun yg patut dilawan tapi sekaligus juga mengalah utk hal-hal yg akan dimenangkan di kemudian hari.

[SB · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading a good biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine, this was not it.
A product of its time or not, the rampant homophobia in this is not excusable. It's malicious and horribly difficult to read. I admit I kept reading for part of this book to see how bad it would get, and it got bad.
Also, for a man who comments on the misogyny of the time Seward is pretty misogynistic himself. As another reviewer said- 'I'm not even sure he liked his subject.' There is a focus on the men which sometimes excludes Eleanor from the narrative for pages at a time. I know there are source issues with Eleanor but at times this felt more like a history of the Angevin empire and her kings than a biography of her.
Notably, I knew the field of medieval studies had changed dramatically in the past forty years, I but I hadn't seen such a good example of how until this book. The scholarship is questionable and full of personal value judgments that constantly denigrate the figures Seward is talking about even as the actions he discusses contradicts those judgements.
As a general timeline of Eleanor's life this book works, but it's so padded with questionable narrative and moralistic judgements it gets exhausting to read between the lines.

Pick up a different biography.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Other than a few anachronistic (dare I say obsessive) references to Richard the Lionheart's homosexuality, this was a perfect resource for researching my Nanowrimo idea. Seward's writing style is very engaging, and reads more like a story than a history book.

[Alex Andrasik · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging biography of the most compelling woman of the Middle Ages, whose successes serve to underscore the kinds of power the fairer sex could wield in a highly patriarchal era. Of course, none could match Eleanor's success at the "game of thrones": wife of two kings, mother to two more, and never a passive player in any of their disputes, wars, and diplomatic missions. I'd rate this book higher if it weren't for its dated feel and its lack of compelling storytelling around the motives for some of Eleanor's most crucial actions; I don't feel like I truly understand why she provoked her sons to rebel against their father, her husband, for instance. That, and it's icky the way the author talks about King Richard's homosexual "perversions" and laying them at the feet of being, essentially, a momma's boy. I guess we can't always fault a book for being a product of its time, but I don't have to reward it, either...and this was written in the late 60s or 70s, not, like, a million years ago. So, watch out for that.

[Steve Barrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and easy to read biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine, long-lived Duchess, Queen, Queen-mother, and architect of the 12th century Angevin Empire of the Plantegenent dynasty. Her biographer is clear about her complex character, both good and bad, and about what is known for certain about her and what is only rumor. Certainly she was a fascinating person who lived an eventful life, of which you will learn a great deal, as you will of the lives and characters of many others around her, particularly her favorite son, Richard the Lionheart. You also get a good look at the time period and the lifestyle of the nobility, as well as the conventions of feudal politics, always revolving around ruthless, brutal warfare. A fascinating read.

[Heather Forensky · Rating 3 out of 5]

While there was some debasing of Eleanor in Allison Weir's novel about the infamous Queen. This book completely focuses on her son Richard the Lionheart of being a homosexual and not having any evidence or proof of documentation. The book is a simple version of Weir's novel, but does not contain most facts and information presented in the Allison Weir novel that while debasing, held a much better argument about the Queen.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written book that moves along quite well, despite all the feudal maneuvering, land-grabbing and blood-shed. I admire Eleanor’s knowledge and verve. I want to watch “The Lion in Winter” again. By the end of the book, I asked Rodney’s question in Los Angeles, “ Can’t we all just get along??”

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book of how a woman could wield power at a time when women were married off and married for their property.
The book demonstrates that the middle ages were not as romantic as they like to depict in films. There was a lot of nastiness and cruelty and unbelievable sons and fathers fighting each other for land.

[Russell Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough biography and written in context. Though at times Eleanor seems to be hiding in the shadows of her family, especially her husband Henri II and her favorite son Richard I, Eleanor however is given as much attention as is possible after so many centuries of being hidden by men.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good readable history. The one glaring exception is the part where the author conclusively states that Ricahrd I was gay (a debatable historical point) and infers that it was caused by his mother, a conclusion that is (to modern readers at least) problematic.

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure this author even really liked his subject.

[Marissa Sobel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The historian did a wonderful job telling the story of Eleanor's life and all the political intrigue of the day. I feel that histories told right are great stories of events that actually happened.

[Ingeborg van Dijk · Rating 4 out of 5]

It could've done with a few more maps that were easily accessible (not in the middle of a chapter)

[Kristi Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In fact one may argue that Eleanor had little, if any interest in revenge, and had made up her mind to rebel from the day that she realized Henry was not going to share his power with her. She had been brought up to be a great ruler, and Henry, like Louis, had deprived her of her destiny.”

Eleanor of Aquitaine is one of my favorite historical figures. Ever since I saw Katherine Hepburn playing her in “The Lion in Winter,” I have been reading everything I can on her life. I recently discovered that my husband could claim her as a direct ancestor so I am even more interested.

Eleanor lived a life of adventure and courage. She married two kings and rebelled against both. The French King Louis divorced her and Henry II imprisoned her for helping his sons try to usurp his throne. She lived her life to the fullest and was devoted to Aquitaine and her children, especially Richard the Lionheart.

Her life story is exciting and intense. When she was not going on Crusade, she was leading troops into battle or getting some needed down time in a nunnery. She believed in Courtly love and was a champion of everything Arthur.

Her husband and her reign was a golden age in England. Their marriage was a battle and they were not above using their children to impose their wills.

I very much enjoyed this biography with pictures of Eleanor of Aquitaine. I learned new insights into what made her tick and how she involved herself in ruling her lands and subjects. She was a remarkable woman.

I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.

[Sarah - All The Book Blog Names Are Taken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wholeheartedly wish goodreads believed in half stars, this is so much better than a 3 but not quite a 4. Yet it is about Eleanor of Aquitaine so can I really rate it too poorly anyway?

Aside from Seward's obsession with Richard possibly being gay - and WHO CARES, he's one of the greatest warrior kings to ever live - this is a solid biography of one of the most fascinating and extraordinary women to ever live. It makes me a bit sad to think that, in her older years, Eleanor still had to traipse all over Western Europe because not-so-deep-down, she knew the empire would crumble upon her death because John was useless and a terrible follow-up to Richard. She should have been able to enjoy a 'retirement', but it was not to be until the very end.

Aside from constantly being told just how gay Richard was, my only other major issue was how power-hungry Eleanor was depicted at various times. I think she's more than justified, as she had proven time and again what a skilled politician she was, particularly during Richard's capture by Leopold. Eleanor could easily have ruled not just as regent or Queen Mother, but Queen Eleanor, the first true queen of England.

Seward tells Eleanor's story in an engaging manner that makes the book hard to put down. Perhaps part of that too has to do with my fondness for such an extraordinary woman living in such extraordinary times. I only hope my own daughter, Eleanor, finds this queen as fascinating as I do.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but I didn't love it. It was about Eleanor, but it had a lot of stories about other people of the time, particularly Richard and John. I felt like it was a good book for getting general knowledge, but not necessarily if you were really interested in learning about Eleanor in-depth.

[Kori · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the subject of Eleanor of Aquitaine is fascinating, I frequently found the author's obvious distaste for certain elements of her story to be distracting at times. I would be more likely to suggest a different book to someone looking to learn about Eleanor of Aquitaine.

[Yu-Jie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seward had a proclivity to present certain highly contested speculations, such as that of Richard's homosexuality and Eleanor as inciting her sons into rebellion, as gospel. Nevertheless, this was overall a highly accessible history of one of the most redoubtable of women, and the Angevin empire.

[mrs. fig · Rating 5 out of 5]

my 8th grade history teacher gave me this book since he knew how much i loved medieval history. I leaned alot about "the mother queen" from this book.

[Cathy Leverkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This queen is interesting because she was queen of France and England in the beginning of the plantagenet era.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written, and Seward really brings these nearly 1,000 year old characters to life. At the same time it was hard for me to sustain my interest in the subject.

[Ginger Heskett]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14337714

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for research.