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Eleanor...young, high-spirited, supremely intelligent, heiress to the vast Duchy of Aquitaine - at a time when a woman's value was measured in terms of wealth. Her vivid leadership inspired and dazzled those about her. And yet, born to rule, she was continually repressed and threatened by the men who overshadowed her life. This is the story of a brilliant, medieval figure - of a princess who led her own knights to the Crusades, who was bride to two kings and mother of Richard the Lionheart. It is the rich, incredible story of Eleanor of Aquitaine.… (more)
Originally published in 1955, Eleanor the Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Norah Lofts is a novel of the life of the woman who was queen of England and France and mother to men of legend. It is a simply written book and made for a pleasant day’s reading. The story surrounding Eleanor of Aquitaine is one that is fantastic and hard to believe that it is based on some historical fact. What Norah Lofts did so well with her character is not only weave this brilliant woman into all the tales surrounding her, but she made Eleanor a strong and intelligent woman in the process. This book did not deal with court intrigue, there were no secret meetings with lovers. Mostly it dealt with Eleanor’s frustrations trying to communicate with the men in her life and her difficulty at being taken seriously.
To give you a little idea of who Eleanor of Aquitaine is, as I wasn’t really aware when I picked up the book, she was the married to the King of England and mother to King Richard the Lionheart and this book took place during the 12th century during the time when the crusades were popular. If you are still wondering, she also had a young son named John. Still no clues … think man in green tights … still not getting it … yep … she’s the mother of the King during time of the legend of Robin Hood.
Overall, if you are interested in a simple, quick, and rather easy read about a fascinating character in early British history this is a pretty good book to pick up. ( )
Just before the moon rose to full glory over the city of Bordeaux in that June of 1137, a young man who had been moving swiftly and secretively through the deserted streets came to the end of his journey at the foot of a tall round tower.
Quotations
Last words
I can do it because all my life, including even my worst failures, has been schooling me for this task. I shall do it well.
Originally published as Queen in Waiting; re-published as Eleanor the Queen: The Story of the Most Famous Woman of the Middle Ages; reprinted under original title in 1977.
Publisher's editors
Blurbers
Original language
Canonical DDC/MDS
Canonical LCC
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References to this work on external resources.
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▾Book descriptions
Eleanor...young, high-spirited, supremely intelligent, heiress to the vast Duchy of Aquitaine - at a time when a woman's value was measured in terms of wealth. Her vivid leadership inspired and dazzled those about her. And yet, born to rule, she was continually repressed and threatened by the men who overshadowed her life. This is the story of a brilliant, medieval figure - of a princess who led her own knights to the Crusades, who was bride to two kings and mother of Richard the Lionheart. It is the rich, incredible story of Eleanor of Aquitaine.
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Book description
Eleanor is young, high-spirited, supremely intelligent, heiress to the vast Duchy of Aquitaine - at a time when a woman's value was measured in terms of wealth. Her vivid leadership inspired and dazzled those about her. And yet, born to rule, she was continually repressed and threatened by the men who overshadowed her life. This is the story of a brilliant, medieval figure - of a princess who led her own knights to the Crusades, who was bride to two kings and mother of Richard the Lion Heart. It is the rich, incredible story of Eleanor Of Aquitaine.
To give you a little idea of who Eleanor of Aquitaine is, as I wasn’t really aware when I picked up the book, she was the married to the King of England and mother to King Richard the Lionheart and this book took place during the 12th century during the time when the crusades were popular. If you are still wondering, she also had a young son named John. Still no clues … think man in green tights … still not getting it … yep … she’s the mother of the King during time of the legend of Robin Hood.
Overall, if you are interested in a simple, quick, and rather easy read about a fascinating character in early British history this is a pretty good book to pick up. ( )