Eleanor of Aquitaine
Queen of France, then queen of England, then regent into her eighties, and the legends started while she was alive.
Eleanor inherited the richest duchy in France, married Louis VII, went on crusade with him, got the marriage annulled, and married Henry of Anjou eight weeks later, making him Henry II of England. She then outlived him and most of her ten children, ruling as regent into her eighties. Weir sorts the documented life from the centuries of invention piled on top of it, without losing what made the invention irresistible.
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Nancy Goldstone
Eleanor lived in the 12th century and was a great heiress. She owned Aquitaine, a large duchy in southwest France. She was originally married to the French king, Louis VII. He was two years older than she was, but hers was the stronger personality and he was no match for her. She ran him around.
Interview · March 2012
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