ELEANOR OF AQUITAINE AND THE FOUR KINGS

by Amy Kelly ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 11, 1950

A lively, comprehensive survey of the life and times -- and effect -- of 12th century Eleanor, her two husbands, and her two sons is drawn from all available contemporary and related sources and reveals what those writers had to say about their own times. In its coverage it traces the feud between the Capet and Plantaganet lines, the downfall of the Angevin empire, and the consolidation of a double empire. Queen of the Franks by her first marriage to Louis, Eleanor found means to get rid of him and to marry Henry of Normandy who founded the Plantaganet rule in England, and suffered through the tragedy of Becket. But Eleanor returned to Poitiers, was guilty of treason until she came into power under her son, Richard, later known as Coeur de Lion, and later when another son became king, John Lackland, died in her 80's with full honors. A colorful, interesting period is given full due with the accent on the importance of the individuals in leaving their stamp on the times adding to the overall effect. A book first of all for serious students of history but not too pedantic for its more casual followers.

Pub Date: April 11, 1950

ISBN: 0674242548

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1950

Categories: NONFICTION