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The heiress of Aquitaine -

Eleanor was the daughter of William X, Duke of Aquitaine and Count of Poitiers. When he died in 1137, she inherited one of the largest domains in France, overshadowing the king's possessions.

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A young duchess under protection -

At just 15, Eleanor was placed under the protection of the French king, Louis IV (pictured). To secure her position, she was swiftly betrothed to his son, Louis VII, the heir to the throne.

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A grand escort to Paris -

To ensure Eleanor's safe journey to Paris, the king sent 500 men to bring her to the royal court, where she would begin her life as the future queen of France.

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A king raised as a monk -

Louis VII had been raised in a monastery, expecting a life of piety. His world changed when his older brother died, forcing him into the role of heir and later king.

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A marriage with unexpected challenges -

Louis and Eleanor married in 1137, but his monastic upbringing affected their relationship. After the initial excitement faded, he rarely visited her bedchamber, which frustrated Eleanor.

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Eleanor's disappointment -

Allegedly, Eleanor once remarked, "I thought I was wed to a king; now I find I am wed to a monk." Their marriage lacked passion, and her unhappiness grew.

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A king's desperate wish for a son -

Louis VII desperately wanted a male heir, as under Salic law, women couldn't inherit the throne. Despite Eleanor having borne him two daughters, his need for a son outweighed everything, and he was willing to part with her in the hope of securing one.

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Wealth beyond measure -

Eleanor's vast lands and riches came from her inheritance. Letting her go meant losing these valuable territories, but Louis was ready to make that sacrifice for the hope of a son.

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A divine sign to end the marriage -

Louis began to see their lack of a son as a sign from God that their union was wrong. Their close blood relation (third cousins once removed) further justified his doubts.

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A convenient excuse -

The church court ruled that Louis and Eleanor were too closely related, making their marriage invalid. On March 21, 1152, their marriage was annulled on the grounds of consanguinity.

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Eleanor regains her lands -

With the annulment, Eleanor regained control of Aquitaine. Her vast territories were once again hers alone, making her a highly desirable match for ambitious rulers.

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A territorial loss -

The annulment cost Louis dearly, as he lost Eleanor’s immense wealth and land. No other divorce in history had come with such a significant territorial loss.

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Eleanor's next move -

Eleanor, known for her flirtatious nature, didn't remain single for long. Rumors swirled about an affair with her uncle, Raymond, Prince of Antioch, but her sights were set elsewhere.

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A swift new marriage -

Only two months after her annulment, Eleanor married Henry Plantagenet, grandson of Henry I of England. With this union, she secured a powerful and ambitious partner.

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A rising power -

Henry Plantagenet held the titles of Count of Anjou and Duke of Normandy. In 1154, he became King Henry II of England, uniting England, Normandy, and western France under his rule.

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Queen of England -

Eleanor became Queen of England, now sharing power with Henry II. While she found happiness in her new marriage, her former husband, Louis VII, sought a new wife.

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Louis VII remarries -

In the same year Henry II was crowned, Louis VII married Constance of Castile. However, she bore him two daughters before dying in childbirth in 1160.

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A third marriage for Louis -

Desperate for a son, Louis VII quickly married Adela of Champagne. This time, he was finally granted his wish: a son, Philip Augustus, who became King of France in 1180.

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A king's unfortunate fate -

Louis VII suffered from poor health, which prevented him from attending Philip's coronation. His luck remained as unfortunate in old age as it had been in youth.

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Eleanor's large family -

Eleanor gave birth to eight children over 13 years, five sons and three daughters. Three of her sons would go on to become kings, shaping European history.

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A son's betrayal -

One of Eleanor's sons, Henry the Young King, grew restless for power. In a bid for independence, he led a revolt against his father, drawing Eleanor into his rebellion.

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A harsh punishment -

The revolt failed. Furious at her role, King Henry II placed Eleanor under house arrest. She remained confined in various castles for 16 years as punishment.

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A long-awaited release -

Eleanor’s imprisonment ended in 1189 when Henry II died. Her son Richard, known as Richard the Lionheart, ascended to the throne, granting her freedom once more.

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A queen’s power restored -

While Richard embarked on the Crusades, Eleanor ruled as regent in his absence. She wielded immense influence, proving her capability as a ruler in her own right.

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The end of an era -

In 1202, Eleanor retired from public life and took refuge at Fontevraud Abbey in France. She chose to live her final years in quiet devotion.

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A remarkable lifespan -

Eleanor lived an extraordinary 82 years, a rare feat for the time. Her long life allowed her to witness the reigns of multiple kings she had helped shape.

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A final resting place -

Eleanor passed away in 1204 at Fontevraud Abbey. She was buried there, alongside her husband Henry II and son Richard the Lionheart, leaving behind a powerful legacy.

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A legacy of influence -

Eleanor of Aquitaine's story is one of power, resilience, and influence. She shaped medieval Europe, proving that even in a male-dominated world, a woman could reign supreme

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In art and fiction -

Eleanor of Aquitaine has been a captivating figure in fiction and art, portrayed by Katharine Hepburn in the film 'The Lion in Winter' (1968) and depicted in novels like 'The Queen's Fool' (2003) by Philippa Gregory.

Sources: (History) (Britannica) (History Hit) (On This Day)

See also: The weirdest royals throughout history

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