Eleanor of Aquitaine   

• Eleanor of Aquitaine was the most influential woman of the Middle Ages. Born around 1122 in France, she became queen of France and later queen of England. As the eldest child of the duke of Aquitaine, Eleanor inherited the Duchy of Aquitaine, one of the wealthiest regions in France, in 1137. Shortly after, she married the heir to the French throne, Louis VII, and became queen of France the following month. She reigned over France alongside her husband for 15 years until their marriage ended in 1152. Just eight weeks after, Eleanor married again, this time to Henry, Duke of Normandy. Henry became king of England, and Eleanor became queen once more. The two had five sons and three daughters, one of whom was Richard the Lionheart. Her daughters would marry rulers and nobles of various European countries. Eleanor was known for her intelligence, cultural interests, and patronage of the arts. She supported poets, musicians, and writers and played a key role in the development of medieval courtly love tradition. Eleanor died in 1204, leaving a lasting legacy in Europe. Abi Raymaker For The Junior Times junior/1739435492/1613367853