Eleanor+of+Aquitaine


 * __ Eleanor of Aquitaine

__**  By Jennifer Stern Eleanor of Aquitaine was a royal icon of England, and France. As a child, she had always dreamed of being a wonderful queen. One day, her dreams came true. She was a queen to remember. Eleanor had many accomplishments, some that changed the world we live in today. Eleanor was truly, incredible. Eleanor was born in Pointers, France. She inherited Aquitaine when her father, William, died in 1137 A.D. As a little girl in France, Eleanor loved to wander the streets and imagine. She pretended as a child that she was the Queen of France, and was the most powerful woman that ever lived. Eleanor’s father, William, always had high expectations for her. He wanted her to be a ruler. William thought that Eleanor was born to be a famous leader. Eleanor’s mother, Aenor, thought that Eleanor should be a teacher. She thought that Eleanor was good with children and always had an open mind. When William died, Eleanor’s mother decided that William would have wanted Eleanor to inherit Aquitaine, so Aenor passed on his throne to Eleanor. Eleanor married twice. She had married Louis Capet in 1137 A.D. He was the King of France. Once married to Louis, she became Queen of France. Eleanor and Louis had five children. In 1152 A.D., Louis and Eleanor decided that their marriage was not working, so they divorced. Soon after, she met Prince Henry of England. On May 18, 1154, Eleanor married Prince Henry. Eleanor and Henry had four children of their own. When Henry’s father King Steven, died, Eleanor and Henry became King and Queen of England. Eleanor’s queen-ship was really what she was known for. In the Middle Ages, women were treated like property. Eleanor showed that girls have strength, power, and knowledge too! England was said to be a hard country to rule. It was a feudal society, which was difficult, because Eleanor wanted to support all the people of England. Also, England had suffered a year of terrible weather while Eleanor was in rule. Crops and livestock were rotting, but Eleanor worked through it. She was able to track trade routes for other food and crops. Eleanor was assertive, smart, yet still she had compassion and delicacy. Eleanor was in charge of the second Crusade, freeing Jerusalem. In 1187 A.D. when the Turks attacked Jerusalem, the people of England knew that Eleanor would be the one to take on the task. Many died on this harsh journey to Jerusalem. When they finally got there, Henry was threatened. He surrendered. He was killed in 1189 A.D. Eleanor had freed Jerusalem that same year. She also captured and killed a few Turks on the way. Eleanor was in charge of three crusades. Eleanor has succeeded in so many things. She made a difference to the world. She showed that girls can do anything that boys can do; all you need to do is put your mind to it. Eleanor is an inspirational role model to everyone who wants to be successful, and is a believer in equality. Eleanor was a queen to remember. No wonder Eleanor was called a ruler and a true leader. Pegues, Franklin J. "Eleanor of Aquitaine." Encyclopedia Americana. 2008. Grolier Online. 24 Apr. 2008 . Sapet, Kerrily. __Eleanor of Aquitaine, Medieval Queen__. Morgan’s Reynolds Publishing Greensboro: 2006.
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