Eleanor of Aquitaine: What did she look like? History & Artistic Facial Reconstruction

Summary

This video from Royalty Studios explores the life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, a medieval queen renowned for her beauty and strong will. Born into a noble lineage, Eleanor's marriage to Louis VII of France and subsequent annulment led to her union with Henry II, with whom she had eight children, including King John and Richard the Lionheart. The video delves into her tumultuous relationships, political influence, and enduring legacy, while also offering an artistic interpretation of her appearance and a unique candle collaboration to evoke the scents of her era.

Takeaways

• 👑 Eleanor of Aquitaine was a medieval queen renowned for her beauty, personality, and strong will.
• 🏰 Born around 1124, Eleanor was the heiress to a vast inheritance, including the control of Aquitaine, making her a highly sought-after marriage prospect.
• 💍 She was married to Prince Louis of France, who later became king, but their marriage was unhappy and fraught with conflict.
• 🛡️ Eleanor's involvement in the Crusade with Louis VII led to disaster, including accusations of her vassal's blame for a massacre and rumors of an affair with her uncle Raymond.
• 🔍 The rumors of Eleanor's infidelity are not well-supported by historical sources, but they contributed to the annulment of her marriage to Louis VII on grounds of consanguinity.
• 👸 After her annulment, Eleanor quickly married Henry of Anjou, the future King Henry II of England, solidifying the Angevin Empire and furthering her political influence.
• 🤰 Eleanor and Henry II had eight children, including King John and Richard the Lionheart, who played significant roles in European history.
• 🏛️ Eleanor was involved in a revolt against her husband, leading to her being held captive for 16 years, yet she was not living in squalor and was well-maintained.
• 🦇 After Henry II's death, Eleanor was released and continued to be active in her children's lives, even leading an army at the age of 77.
• 🕊️ Eleanor died in 1204 and was buried next to Henry II. Her legacy has been debated, with some historians portraying her negatively, but she undeniably had a pivotal role in the politics of England and France.
• 🎨 The video script also discusses the creation of a modern-day artistic interpretation of Eleanor's appearance, as well as a collaboration with Clio Global to create a candle inspired by Eleanor's era.

Q & A

Who is the subject of the video from Royalty Now Studios?

The subject of the video is Eleanor of Aquitaine, a famous medieval queen known for her beauty, personality, and iron will.

What significant inheritance did Eleanor of Aquitaine receive from her father?

Eleanor inherited the control of her native territory of Aquitaine, which was one of the greatest inheritances in Europe at the time.

Why was Eleanor's marriage to Louis VII of France unhappy?

Eleanor's marriage to Louis VII was unhappy due to various reasons, including the failure of the crusade they embarked on together and rumors of an extramarital affair, although the latter is not well-supported by historical sources.

What was the outcome of the Crusade that Eleanor and Louis VII embarked on together?

The Crusade was a disaster for both Louis VII and his marriage to Eleanor, leading to a series of unfortunate events and ultimately contributing to the end of their marriage.

What was the reason Eleanor used to seek an annulment from her marriage to Louis VII?

Eleanor used the reason of consanguinity, suggesting that she and King Louis were too closely related, which was grounds for an annulment in the medieval period.

How did Eleanor's second marriage to Henry of Anjou, later Henry II of England, come about?

After her annulment from Louis VII, Eleanor quickly married Henry of Anjou, who was a young man she had noticed a year before and who became the future King Henry II of England.

What was the significance of Eleanor and Henry II's marriage in terms of political power?

Their marriage solidified the Angevin Empire, which included England and many lands in France, with Eleanor maintaining control as the Duchess of Aquitaine.

Why was Eleanor held captive for 16 years?

Eleanor was held captive for 16 years after she joined her sons in a revolt against her husband, Henry II, the reasons for which are not entirely clear but may have involved dissatisfaction with English policy constraining Aquitaine's power.

What was Eleanor's legacy in terms of her impact on the politics of England and France?

Eleanor had a pivotal role in the politics of England and France, and her life, as well as the lives of her children, are central to the history of Europe.

How was Eleanor's appearance described by contemporaries and in the video?

Eleanor was described as being gracious, lovely, and the embodiment of charm with lovely eyes and a noble countenance. The video suggests she might have been a blonde with a long face, strong nose, smaller mouth, and pensive eyes.

What is the significance of the candle collaboration with Clio Global mentioned in the video?

The candle collaboration with Clio Global is significant as it attempts to recreate the sense of history through scent, providing an olfactory experience that could have been part of Eleanor's daily life.