She had inherited Aquitaine, which made her a rich prize for any king. They could inherit property and many became wealthy landowners. Leisure was preeminent and women were more highly respected. Aquitaine, in the south, named "land of waters" by the Romans, was a rich land, filled with orchards and vineyards life was good for those in power. In northern Europe, and England, women had little social standing. It definitely made me want to read more about the various figures during her lifetime.Įleanor grew up in the Dukedom of Aquitaine at a time when most of France was ruled by England. Not only a biography, but a detailed historical account of her life, and those of her husband, Henry II, and her sons. Before I read this book, my only reference for Eleanor was the famous film, "The Lion in Winter." Even then, I fell in love with the woman she was, and have always wanted to learn more about her. She lived to be 82 years old, quite a feat for the time as well. She most certainly made some mistakes along the way, but for the time period, when women were mostly kept in the background, Eleanor was always in the forefront. She was a formidable woman who knew to pick her battles. Boy, what she went through and achieved for her children is truly astounding. Together they sired eight children, two of them becoming future kings of England in their own right. I have long admired Eleanor, the woman who was a queen twice, first in France, and the second being the queen to the formidable Henry II of England. This was hands down one of the best biographies I have ever read.
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