904571
Eleanor: for
and against her
influence
- Eleanor was often formally
involved in government, issuing
writs in her own name down to
1163, andalso acted as regent if
she did not accompany Henry
abroad.
- Five sons and three daughters
were born in the period 1153 to
1167 (William, Henry, Matilda,
Richard, Geoffrey, Eleanor, Joan
and John). If we include probable
miscarriages and unrecorded
infant deaths, Eleanor must have
been in a constant state of
pregnancy and recovery.
- Bettany Hughes argues that
Eleanor was influential as a
woman because she gave birth
to a large number of heirs and
was given responsibility of the
childcare for her children. Later
on she was also responsible for
her children and grandchildren.
- For example the arrangement in 1200
for Blanche of Castile to marry the future
Louis VIII. As until the birth of John's
first son 1207 any marriage of Eleanor's
grandchildren was of potential
significance for the succession of
Angevin lands.
- For example the arrangement in 1200
for Blanche of Castile to marry the future
Louis VIII. As until the birth of John's
first son 1207 any marriage of Eleanor's
grandchildren was of potential
significance for the succession of
Angevin lands.
- "The reality was that she
lived and died an
appendage to her father,
husbands, sons (and
lovers if she had any)"
Tyerman
- She was instrumental in securing power for
both her remaining sons Richard and John.
When she was released from captivity,
Eleanor toured England proclaiming her
son's title as king and was given
wide-ranging powers, attending courtly
functions and councils
- "Eleanor's career shows that
ultimately her power was
expressed through men and
was therefore dependant upon
their requirements, needs and
weaknesses" Purser
- Eleanor was the only daughter and
heiress of Duke William X of Aquitaine, so
was of major importance politically, but as
a woman she was eclipsed by a more
dominant husband who needed her to
produce heirs.
- But also as a woman she was mother to
those heirs and wielded great influence
after his death.
- But also as a woman she was mother to
those heirs and wielded great influence
after his death.
- In July 1199 Eleanor did homage to
Philip II for her duchy of Aquitaine thus
reaffirming her role as duchess of her
own inheritance in the name of her son
John.
- Documents were issued
stating John as Eleanor's
rightful heir to the duchy.
- Documents were issued
stating John as Eleanor's
rightful heir to the duchy.
- In 1199 with Richard's mercenary captain
Mercadier she lay waste to rebellious parts
of Anjou and in 1202 held Mirebeau against
her grandson Arthur of Brittany
- When Richard was invested as duke of
Aquitaine in 1170 Eleanor expected to
govern the region with him but Henry
maintained a tight control of the reins
- When Richard was on crusade Eleanor
played a large part in ensuring that the
barons remained loyal to Richard and
on Richard's return mediated between
the two brothers
- Eleanor travelled abroad to collect
Richard's wife Berengaria of
Navarre and accompanying her to
Sicily in 1191 and went to meet the
pope in Rome.
- In 1194 she travelled to
Germany to meet the
Emperor to negotiate her
son's release. Eleanor also
helped organise the
ransom
- In 1173 during the Great
Rebellion three sons of
Henry ran away, Eleanor
attempted to follow
disguised as a man but
was caught and
imprisioned for the next 16
years
- The fact she was
imprisoned and kept
under guard shows her
importance and influence
- The fact she was
imprisoned and kept
under guard shows her
importance and influence
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