Updated 2 September 2008. A most unique and interesting woman, Eleanor of Acquitaine was at different times queen to the kings of two countries – Louis VII of France and Henry II of England. She inherited Aquitaine (southwestern portion of France) at the tender age of 15 when her father, Duke William, died without a male heir.
Eleanor lived an eventful life. She actively recruited soldiers from her duchy in preparation for the Second Crusade. She also joined the Crusade.
When she became bored with Louis, she attempted to divorce him. Later, the two received an annulment.
Eleanor then married Henry, 11 years her junior. They were crowned king and queen of England together in December 1154. Eleanor again became disgruntled about 12 years later, superficially because of Henry’s public affair with Rosamond Clifford. She returned to Aquitaine.
By 1172, she was leading her older sons (Young King, Richard and Geoffrey) into rebellion against Henry. The short-lived uprising ended in her capture. Eleanor remained Henry’s prisoner for 16 years.
After his death, she ruled England while Richard was on crusade. Eleanor died in 1204 at about the age of 82. (Source: Marion Meade, Eleanor of Aquitaine, Penguin Books, 1977)
Regarding historical fiction about Eleanor, see the reading list below. Use the resources available in Find Books to locate copies. Or for books currently available at Amazon, follow the title links. Fuzzy History receives a small commission for referral purchases.
Green titles comprise those I really enjoyed (Excellent to Very Good rating). If there is no comment following the title, I haven’t read the book and I know nothing about it. Please feel free to suggest titles by leaving a comment.
Alinor
by Roberta Gellis. The second book in The Roselynde Chronicles, a historical romance with strong historical background. Eleanor plays a minor role.
Beloved Enemy by Ellen Jones. The focus is on the relationship between Henry and Eleanor during their early years.
The Book of Eleanor by Pamela Kaufman. Historically inaccurate, but if accuracy isn’t high on your list of requirements in historical fiction, you may enjoy the romantic tale.
The Canterbury Papers by Judith Koll Healey. A historical mystery with intrigue centering around Eleanor and her desire to retrieve a secret cache of letters.
Champion by L. Christian Balling. Biographical fiction on the knight, William Marshall (see The Greatest Knight and The Scarlet Lion), with Eleanor in the background.
The Court of Love by Denee Cody. A historical romance with many of the problems associated with the genre.
The Courts of Love by Peter Bourne. A historical romance.
The Courts of Love
by Jean Plaidy. The 5th book in the Queens of England Series focuses on Eleanor.
Cruel as the Grave by Sharon Kay Penman. The second in a history mystery series that begins with The Queen’s Man.
Death at Blenheim Palace
by Robin Paige. A historical mystery with early 20th century researchers investigating the poisoning of Rosamund Clifford.
Devil’s Brood by Alfred Duggan. Covers much of the same ground as Sharon Kay Penman’s new novel by the same title.
Devil’s Brood by Sharon Kay Penman. The third book in the Henry II and Eleanor trilogy will be released in October 2008. It covers the later years of their marriage.
Dragon’s Lair by Sharon Kay Penman. The third in a history mystery series that begins with The Queen’s Man.
Duchess of Aquitaine
by Margaret Ball. Biographical fiction on Eleanor.
Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine by Kristiana Gregory. Young adult fiction.
Eleanor: The Passionate Queen by Anne Powers.
Eleanor the Queen
by Nora Lofts. Biographical fiction on Eleanor. Later reprinted as Queen in Waiting.
Forever Love by Laurie Grant. Historical romance.
The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick. Biographical fiction on William Marshal, a knight during the reigns of Henry II and his sons. Eleanor once saved his life. She appears throughout.
The Lion in Winter: A Play by James Goldman. Tells the story of Henry and Eleanor starting in 1183, six years prior to Henry’s death.
The Lion of England by Margaret Butler. Henry takes a fictional mistress with pagan beliefs while Eleanor is imprisoned for leading the rebellion of his sons. (World Historical Fiction, Oryx Press, 1998)
The Lute Player by Nora Lofts. Biographical fiction on Eleanor’s son, Richard I. Part of the story told from Eleanor’s point of view.
Mortal Love by Linda Hutchins. Eleanor muses about the people she knows and the way she passes her days. (World Historical Fiction, Oryx Press, 1998)
My Lady Troubadour by Maureen Peters.
The Passionate Brood by Margaret Campbell Barnes. Focuses on the sons of Henry and Eleanor.
The Plantagenet Prelude by Jean Plaidy. This is the first of 14 books in the Plantagenet Saga. It covers Eleanor’s early years.
A Pride of Kings by Juliet Dymoke. The first book in The Plantagenets series, it covers Eleanor, Henry, Richard and John.
Prince of Darkness by Sharon Kay Penman. The fourth in a history mystery series that begins with The Queen’s Man.
A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver by E.L. Konigsburg. Young adult fiction.
The Queen’s Man by Sharon Kay Penman. The first book in a historical mystery series set during the time of Henry and Eleanor.
The Queen’s War by Jeanne MacKin. Focuses on the first rebellion of Henry’s sons, the Young King, Richard and Geoffrey.
The Revolt of the Eaglets by Jean Plaidy. This is the second book in the Plantagenet Saga. It covers Eleanor’s marriage to Henry and her involvement in sons’ first rebellion. It’s much the same ground covered in Devil’s Brood.
The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick. Biographical fiction on William Marshal, a knight during the reigns of Henry II and his sons. Focuses on the years after his marriage to Isabel de Clare. Eleanor appears throughout.
The Serpent’s Tale by Ariana Franklin. Eleanor is the prime suspect in this historical murder mystery that involves the death of Henry’s mistress, Rosamund Clifford. (U.K. title is The Death Maze)
Through a Glass Darkly by Carol Phillips Cooke.
The Tigress and the Rose by Richard Cameron Low. I found no information on this book, but the subtitle indicates it’s about Eleanor and Rosamund Clifford, one of Henry’s mistresses.
Time and Chance
by Sharon Kay Penman. I haven’t read this novel yet. The second in the Henry II and Eleanor trilogy, it covers the early years of their marriage