Eleanor of Aquitaine

Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor's effigy at Fontevraud Abbey
Duchess of Aquitaine
Reign	9 April 1137 – 1 April 1204
Predecessor	William X
Successor	John
Queen consort of the Franks
Tenure	1 August 1137 – 21 March 1152
Queen consort of England
Tenure	25 October 1154 – 6 July 1189
Coronation	19 December 1154
Born	1122 Poitiers
Died	1 April 1204 (aged c. 81/82) Poitiers, Angevin Empire
Burial	Fontevraud Abbey, Fontevraud
Spouse	Louis VII of France (m. 1137; annulled 1152) Henry II of England (m. 1152; d. 1189)
Issue Detail	Marie, Countess of Champagne Alix, Countess of Blois William IX, Count of Poitiers Henry the Young King Matilda, Duchess of Saxony Richard I, King of England Geoffrey II, Duke of Brittany Eleanor, Queen of Castile Joan, Queen of Sicily John, King of England
House	Ramnulfids
Father	William X, Duke of Aquitaine
Mother	Aenor de Châtellerault
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Eleanor of Aquitaine (French: Aliénor d'Aquitaine, Éléonore, Latin: Alienora; 1122  – 1 April 1204) was a Queen consort of France and England. As a member of the Ramnulfids ("House of Poitiers") rulers in southwestern France, she was one of the most powerful and wealthiest women in western Europe during the High Middle Ages. She inherited the Duchy of Aquitaine from her father, William X, in 1137, and by successive marriages became Queen of France (1137–1152) and then of England (1154–1189). She was patron of literary figures such as Wace, Benoît de Sainte-Maure, and Bernart de Ventadorn. She led armies several times in her life and was a leader of the Second Crusade.

As Duchess of Aquitaine, Eleanor was the most eligible bride in Europe. Three months after she became duchess, she married King Louis VII of France, son of her guardian, King Louis VI. As Queen of France, she participated in the unsuccessful Second Crusade. Soon afterwards, Eleanor sought an annulment of her marriage, but her request was rejected by Pope Eugene III. However, after the birth of her second daughter Alix, Louis agreed to an annulment, as fifteen years of marriage had not produced a son. The marriage was annulled on 11 March 1152 on the grounds of consanguinity within the fourth degree. Their daughters were declared legitimate and custody was awarded to Louis, while Eleanor's lands were restored to her.