Who was the most influential and whyBoth Eleanor and Henry were very much influential and successful people, but only one was more as an significant person then the other.
Why Eleanor of Aquitaine was more influentialEleanor of Aquitaine in her own time, was more influential then most of her male contemporaries. She had the unique opportunity to be, at different times, the queen consort of France and later the queen consort of England. In her own right, she belonged to a wealthy family who had extensive lands throughout Western Europe. Eleanor was able to negotiate to act as regent in the absence of her husband or son and to control the Aquitaine and the lands in France.
Although, when only fifteen, when her father died, Eleanor was one of the most wealthy and powerful women in Western Europe. She married her guardians son who became king of France. Ten years after her marriage to Louis VII of France, she accompanied him on the Second Crusade. Although women are recorded as having participated in the first crusade in large numbers, the second crusade does not appear to have the same number of women, however, it is known that Eleanor raised money and had a retinue of 300 women. These were mainly upper-class women and their assistants. Eleanor managed many important aspects of the crusade which however was not a success. Eventually, after her return to France, her marriage to king Louis was annulled and her lands in Aquitaine were restored to her. She had negotiated to get her lands even through by marriage the king may have been able to keep their land. She had won against the king to get what she wanted which demonstrated great power. Having married Henry, she was able to assist him through her wealth and lands in Europe to gain more power. She acted not only as his advisor but as the regent of England when he was absence. When her son Richard became king of England, she used her influence to increase power in Western Europe and again acted as regent. In the 12th century, women were not excepted to have the power and influence that we see in Eleanor of Aquitaine. She had ten children and there is evidence that she was in control both in France and in Britain directly and indirectly during her lifetime. The fact that she took gain of the second crusade and brought 300 women showed her standing up for women’s rights and giving them the power they deserve. Eleanor showed the era that she is force that will not be reckoned with, giving the attention to everyone in the world especially women, who look up to her as an essential figure. When she owned custody of the lands she was confident and determined to get her way with the hint of power which led her into a successful life. She was very important as we see the struggles she went through with her life, but, each struggle she overcame, in fact, she came out stronger then she was. Eleanor never gave up even through rough times. In addition, Eleanor of Aquitaine is more influential then King Henry II because her power and influence shown throughout the years outlived the power and influence he had even if he came on top. |
Coins minted under Eleanor's rule of Aquitaine |
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During the Middle Ages, coins were a reasonable way to distinguish who were held in respect and admiration at the time of when they where made. The coins showed on the side were minted at the time of Eleanor’s control of the Aquitaine who then later represented her crest. For that reason, we can all learn a lot about Eleanor’s life as a duchess and leader as it shows us that she was a significant figure and had tremendous power way beyond the original exception of women. But, the most important information we can gather from this coin was that she was looked on as that person in charge, which was very unusual for a women in that period.
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Rock Crystal Vase
This vase was a wedding gift to Eleanor and Louis. It is a valuable heirloom which belonged to Eleanor’s family which has been around for decades. This symbolises the wealth of Eleanor’s family and displays that she was prepared to give away one of her precious possessions to her husband. Many historians suggest that she gave Louis the vase to bend the relationship between them.
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Eleanor’s and Richard’s grave
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In this source, we see that Eleanor was buried next to Richard the Lionheart, which suggests that he was her favourite son. It tells us that she was very exceedingly important as there is not that much graves during the era. Eleanor was really singifcant to be buried in a grave. She is also holding a book that indicates that she was wise, it’s a bible or a book of poems written by knights for her and it is there for people to recall her and her way of encouraging reading to many peasants.
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This was a mural painted at the time in the 12th century, in Chapelle Sainte-Radegonde de Chinon, France. Eleanor is on the left while her daughter Joan or King John her son could be the figure on the right. The mural is very special as it is the only picture seen of Eleanor other than her effigy. Also, the focal point of the mural is Eleanor as she is in the centre. Therefore, this shows that she was a very important person and a well respected women.
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