Queen Eleanor

By Polly Schoyer Brooks

A queen defies medieval norms, shaping politics and culture.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 401 ratings

183 pages

$15.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

In a world where women were silenced, Eleanor of Aquitaine defied expectations. Born in 1122, she mastered politics and governance, becoming queen of both France and England. Her influence extended beyond the throne, shaping the arts and birthing chivalry. Accused of being a demon for her independence, Eleanor's legacy challenges the constraints of her era. How did she navigate a world that sought to confine her? Discover the story of a woman who refused to be ordinary, leaving an indelible mark on history.

From the publisher

Accused of being a demon by those who could not tolerate her independence, Eleanor of Aquitaine made her mark as one of the most dynamic and extraordinary figures of the Middle Ages. Born in 1122, Eleanor refused to be confined by the traditional gender roles of her time. She became well educated, gaining political and governing know-how from her father, William X, duke of Aquitaine, and armed herself with the skills necessary to become an influential queen-first of France, and later, England. With an impact that reached beyond politics, Eleanor shaped the future of the arts and humanities. And in a time when women were viewed as inferior to men, the virtues of chivalry and courtly love were born. Once described by a contemporary as “a woman beyond compare,” Eleanor of Aquitaine is a figure who will remain controversial, powerful, and enchanting in the twenty-first century.