Régine Pernoud (1909–1998)

A very well-written biography of this extraordinary woman and her long, adventurous, difficult life. I first read it as a teen and the locations and many, many names made understanding it all very difficult. I remember, though, the first time I saw "The Lion in Winter" I dashed to this book to find what was historically accurate in that movie. (Hint: the movie is fantastic with great actors, and should be viewed as such!)

There is much detail about side events, such as the sinking of the show more White Ship of England that resulted in the drowning of William Atheling, heir to Henry I of England and husband to Matilda, future Abbess of the Convent of Fontrevault, and the attack on the baggage train and members of the Second Crusade. Also present in this book are snippets from Troubadours' songs at the start of each chapter that tie in Eleanor with this aspect of her court.

Mme. Pernoud's depiction of the main characters is for me more of a "fleshing out" of these historical personages than a romanticizing of their historical nature. Her biographical sources include the medieval Pipe Rolls to depict the events of the time rather than, as she states, literary sources that formed earlier biographical descriptions of Queen Eleanor. Kudos go to her for delving into these dusty tomes to bring this woman back to life! show less

A great overview of the long and busy life of Eleanor, tying together all the bits of history I knew with a great deal I didn't. Rather uncritical of the Orientalism of the time, coy about Richard's homosexual relationships, and perhaps a little fond of phrases like "her role as a woman" (son rôle de femme) but by and large an insightful and thoughtful reading of the historical documents. Occasionally I got confused when she'd refer to "Henry" or "Louis" without specifying which she meant; show more this might have been less of a problem for those who can read French faster/more fluently than me. Appendices include genealogical charts and a useful bibliography with discussion.

Now feeling inspired to write a Robin Hood story resolved not by Richard's homecoming but by Aliénor's. show less

Sometimes the writing style can get a little laborious (not an uncommon problem with a translation), but this is an excellent essay on how the "Middle Ages" are misunderstood in the modern world. It's a little disturbing how little has changed in the 30 years since Pernoud wrote this. She makes an impassioned call for the significance of the Middle Ages, and does an amazing job of understanding the period in its own terms, and showing how the misconceptions we have about the Middle Ages are show more a product of modern ways of thinking. show less

A sweet introduction to a great late medieval, early renaissance character. As the daughter of a Venetian astrologer/scientist who advised the French king Charles V, she had a unique and early access to power (similar to Barbara Tuchman) - which she lost when both king, her father and her young husband died, leaving her and her children at the mercy of the courts and benefactors. She struggled and recovered herself as a writer of love ballads but ventured into political commentary especially show more regarding the role of women in society, opposing the church and the conservative university of Paris. When France plunged again into the abyss of the Hundred Years War, her fortune reversed and she entered the convent of her daughter.

Régine Pernoud is a French historian with a focus on medieval women. Her passion for her subject enlivens the narrative, a passion however which is supplanted at the end by her passion for Joan of Arc. Pernoud nearly drops her subject, at the end barely informing about her death while presenting Joan of Arc. We never learn about when exactly Christine died and whether a grave exists. I am sure that Christine de Pisan would not have accepted such an unmerited backseat treatment. On the other hand, Pernoud's introduction to Christine de Pisan's writing is done well. show less