Robert Ludlum’s novels often delve into conspiracy theories, both historical and contemporary. One such example is The Matarese Circle, which was inspired by rumors about the Trilateral Commission. Joel Converse, an American lawyer, encounters a conspiracy called “Aquitaine” involving retired generals and their dedicated soldiers. According to John of Earley, the fatal war was brought about by manipulative “traitors” who pitted the two. Marie Antoinette, a symbol of the way in which society and politics were turned upside down, was considered the most significant example in history.
Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204 CE) was a powerful and influential figure of the Middle Ages. She was the wife of Louis VII of France and the feudal suzerain after his father’s death. Her paranoia over Aquitaine was astutely manipulated by King Philip of France, the son of Louis VII, whose ambition was to destroy Angevin.
Ludlum’s novels, each one a New York Times bestseller, have more than 225 million copies in print. At the end of the crusades, the Templars were suppressed by King Philip the Fair, accused of outlandish conspiracies. A conspiracy theory is an explanation for an event or situation that asserts the existence of a conspiracy by powerful and sinister groups, often political.
In this book, Joel Converse meets a covert operative who dies in front of him. The book also explores the internal opposition to the West Frankish kings, with key figures such as Adalbero, archbishop of Rheims, and his secretary Gerbert of Aurillac. Eleanor was a French duchess who later became queen of France, divorced her husband, and then became Queen of England.
📹 Eleanor of Aquitaine – Mother of Kings Documentary
The script for this video has been checked with Plagiarism software and scored 1% on Grammarly. In academia, a score of below …
📹 “The Aquitaine Progression” By Robert Ludlum
Robert Ludlum’s novel, The Aquitaine Progression, is a political thriller that takes the reader on a fast-paced journey through the …
A truly formidable woman of intelligence, political savvy, tenacity, independence, beauty, charm and wit. An unorthodox woman who refused to let the glass ceilings of her time prevent her from fulfilling her own ambition and potential. I will never stop being a fan of the incredible Eleanor of Aquitaine. Also, I’d also love to see a documentary on her equally formidable mother in law, Matilda.
Eleanor of Aquitaine is an icon of womanhood not only one her time, but to those of the many centuries of strong women that would follow her. She was able to use her charm, intelligence, and training to help more than just the two Kings she married but her children and grandchildren as she was able. She was a rare beauty on the outside, however an even more beautiful person in her own right on the inside. Not only because of her knowledge and stately ways, on the contrary she was beauty and brains of strategies in a time women were to know their place in high society. All-in-all she was an amazing woman long before her time.
Being Eleanor’s 24th great-granddaughter, I’ve done some studying of her legacy. The last comment and question at the close of this documentary suggests that she was one or the other, a promiscuous and conniving woman or a pious queen who did far more than the duty of a woman of her era. I prefer to think of her as a human being, an astonishing Lady who, in the face of current custom and clerical thinking, she exercised the education, power, titles and beauty she was given in the advance of European culture and heritage. No one person is all one thing to the exclusion of all else. She was as human as I am, though she was born into circumstances that killed most women of her age simply in the act of having children. Living to the age of 82 in itself is a triumph and speaks of her will and determination to live life in her own way. There has been some talk of the epoch that she was a witch, for how else could she have attracted a man 11 years her junior, leaving King Louis of France to marry Henry II? How else could anyone of either sex grow so old and, except for the very end, so healthy? These were her circumstances, and she made the most of what she had. I say, “Hats off Great Grandma! Job well done!”
If you want to learn more about Eleanor, you read Eleanor of Acquitaine and the Four Kings. It’s a very fine old book. It was a college textbook assigned in a history class I took in 1975, and I’ve read it a couple times since then. Eleanor is quite fascinating, as is the story she moves through and influences.
She was both. She would have to use all of her gifts to survive in that time, starting out as a young girl thrust into this world of power and intrigue. So she had to learn to use her wits, charms and a bit of guile to secure the best outcomes for herself and those she loved. She may not have wanted to. It may have gone against her ideals and who she was as a person; but was necessary. It isn’t until she was in a secure position that she could focus on being the best honest version of herself. Unfortunately that time was much later in her life. Hard situations call for hard choices. And nobody is one dimensional. She truly had an amazing life tho.
She was clearly a genius statesperson, leader, politician — knowing how to repeatedly drum up popular support among both nobles AND commoners when she needed. The fact she wasn’t murdered, esp during all the imprisonments / captures attests to her sway and popularity. Any standard wife / mother / queen would be offed without too much fanfare.
This article is a pleasant surprise. As for Eleanor, he was a beautiful woman with a strong will and she wasn’t afraid to do whatever was necessary to get what she wanted both for her and her sons. Some of her decisions can be seen as controversial but can we judge her? I’ll let each and everyone of you to decide.
I have been enthralled by Eleanor of Aquitaine for the last 50 years. I read my first book about her when I was 11 for a book report, and promptly became one of her fans. To imagine a woman, holding her own in a male dominated society; a society where women were little more than baby makers, is phenomenal. She is still an excellent example of what women can achieve, even today. She was one of a kind in her historical age, and is still one of a very few women throughout history who so poignantly illustrated what women can do, if given the chance. It’s a shame that it took another 700 years for more women to follow in her footsteps and demand equality. The world could use more Eleanors. Especially now.
AN amazing woman of her time. I have loosely followed her story in history and would have loved to have known her. She had an amazing mind, and to read between all the lines, she was a deeply compassionate person, She acted like a woman but thought like a man. Take away all the negative propaganda about her and you find a lady who used what she had to the best of her abilities in a time when the status of women was very low indeed. A true hero!
Extremely thorough account of a fascinating historical figure. Eleanor was remarkable by so many aspects it is almost the stuff of legends. First and foremost, her strength as a female figure, managing to achieve more than a lot of men of real power ever merely contemplated. Second, her remarkable longevity by medieval standards: usually, famous historical figures whose multiple accomplishments sealed their fate in history were relatively short- or medium-lived; not for her, as she cumulated successes (and failures) over a long active existence. Third, the historical context and her fecundity made of her a major political figure through her many royal children as well as the international character of her relationships, acquaintances, contacts, etc. Four, her fortitude: it is rare to see a woman from that era multiply perilous trips, voyages, crusades, etc., including captures and imprisonments on many occasions, while surviving them without permanent scars thanks to resourcefulness, a good political instinct,…. and luck, of course. I could go on and on, but I think the point is made that she was well worth an extended bio such as this excellent article.
If you want to see what must be the most accurate portrayal of Eleanor of Aquitaine, all you have to do is watch the 1968 movie, ‘The Lion In Winter.’ Played by Katherine Hepburn, she comes across as strong, witty, funny, utterly confident and wise. Many liberties are taken concerning the reality of the 1100s, but she was obviously a woman to be reckoned with.
Why is Eleanor depicted as a 2020 female with false eyelashes and make-up? She was a known beauty of HER time! One of the best things about this documentary was the use of maps and artifacts that are realistic to the past. Pretending that Eleanor would need a modern-day appearance is insulting to this fascinating historic and powerful female.
I like that this tries at least to cut threw the myth and gossip to show the incredible leader and woman that I believe her to be. I am sick however at the way powerful woman of history are always made to seem like monsters for beating men at there own game, or for god forbid challenging the powers that be, and as if that is not bad enough often to blame for there husbands failing yet never afforded any credit for there successes. Eleanor was blamed for Luise failures but never credited with any of Henry’s success. Both men suffered for trying to control her, and in the end she had the ultimate revenge. A life well lived and a legacy as the first grandmother of Europe, and mover and shaker, and surviver.
She was a human being who like all of those in the medieval era was complex, intelligent, ambitious and pious. She was truly remarkable for her accomplishments, being the de facto ruler of England while Richard was in Europe and on Crusade. I’m happy to say she is my favorite ancestress, and I have a title from her which she gave to all her female descendants, hoping that it would make us, her granddaughters, more marriageable, that being the only way to a decent life in that epoch: Hereditary Duchess of Aquitaine. Probably half the female population of Europe are so entitled, they just don’t know it!
She very intelligently used her charms and wiles of a woman to remain a very influential character. History may say she was promiscuous but maybe she was just being wise in making sure men stayed loyal to her. I would say that “promiscuity” is a very wise strategy under the circumstances in which she lived. At a time when women held no sway nor political power she did. Very intelligent and wise woman.
Unfortunately, all of Eleanor’s sons were kind of shyte. This includes Richard – who hardly even spent any time in England at all but managed to suck great wealth out of it, first to pay for his crusade and then to pay his ransom. Moreover, he actually committed treason not once as mentioned in the article but twice. Allying with France to attack his own fathers lands. That Richard has a statue in front of Westminster rather than Henry II is a joke. None of the (male) kids could hold a candle to their parents.
I love the way she went on Crusade. I would have too. I love the way she was actively involved in the matchmaking of her granddaughter in Castille, and went all the way and back on horseback to fetch her, guarding and keeping her safe. I bet that she imparted her life wisdom to the young lady while they travelled. It’s a shame that she had to leave her first two daughters born to Louis with him in France. This was obviously the condition of her divorce/annulment. It’s great having these details about people from so many years ago, as we can get an idea about their character.
My beautiful red headed oldest daughter is named Eleanor after my late beloved mother! She went to high school once dressed as Eleanor of Aquitaine as that was the assignment, come dressed as a historical figure! My three daughters have been named after famous European queens as well as my two granddaughters, not on purpose, that’s just what happened unintentionally! Though our family history on my mother’s side goes all the way back to William the Conqueror and the Drew family name is listed in William’s Doomsday Book of 1066, one of the oldest families in the UK!
I did a study on Queen Emma, the wife of two queens and the mother of two more! Greene was simply way ahead of her time. Greene Eleanor wrote an autobiography a life in the day, and even a few recipes are in. Her love of everything on the mainland, reduced the English to get in a lower quality soldier when they needed them.. I wonder if Eleanor of Aquitaine was influence by Emma’s autobiography, some very strong similar things happen in their astronomy books I’m sorry have books that there is a relationship between the historical data that’s there. Thank you for considering me. 55:33
So many aspects of her life are remarkable. Having her own wealth, political power, and influence. Marrying 2 kings, and having 10 children including 3 kings. Going on a Crusade. How did she live such a risky life and not die of disease, childbirth, or drowning at sea is itself remarkable. Royal women seem to have lost some ground between Eleanor of Aquitaine’s era and the Tudor era, and I wonder what accounts for it.
She was so awesome I would love us England to have a queen like her now and the 41years I’ve been alive as a Englishman lol she was beautiful, strong, brainy, not just a great queen but a great politician as well a field dominated even to this very day by men, look how long it took for all her hard work to be marred by her other useless son the only semi bad thing I seen was when she had to get ransome money of England and France but even then got put in a impossible position so I understand why she did that overall one special women living even in medieval luxury to live till your 82 is awesome to say the least
Some genealogists show my mother’s ancestors coming from Eleanor’s and Louis’s daughter the princess Alix who married Robert, Count of Blois. Her family were nobles with holdings in Normandy. Our branch left Normandy France as Huguenot refugees in 1562 because of the persecution of Protestants. They went to Norwich, England then Germany and finally settled in the Netherlands which brought them to America in 1653.
There’s a lot of comments about the portrait’s subject. It might be just my imagination but I can see an idealised version of the future Queen Kate. Around :25 minutes there’s a woodland portrait, again idealised that looks to be of a very young girl, but she is conventionally pretty by our standards, I think. I never regret the lack of accurate portrayals as much as when someone is described as one extreme or another! And you can’t even rely on descriptions, as they contradict. Also, of course contemporary written descriptions depend on just who the writer was addressing. Just think of the descriptions of Mary Queen of Scots, how they were worded if Queen Elizabeth was likely to read it. Also, as a postscript, our descendants will make similar comments about photo shop and filters!
The very idea any man would kidnap and forcibly marry a woman is outrageous 😱😱😱 It wouldn’t/couldn’t stand as a legally binding marriage if the woman refuses. A BIG NO would suffice to make it null and void. Men were crazy in those days, downright annoying and stupid, + crazy to think a kidnapped woman would agree to those shenanigans .🙄🙄🙄
Who built the seven-towered Thebes? The books list the names of kings. Did those kings drag the stones? And Babylon, several times destroyed – Who rebuilt it so many times? In what houses Of the gold-glittering Lima did its builders live? In the evening, when the wall of China was finished, where did the bricklayers go? Great Rome is full of triumphal arches. Who erected those? Whom did the Caesars conquer? Were there only palaces for the inhabitants of much celebrated Byzantium? Even in legendary Atlantis, when the sea engulfed it in the night, The drowning clamored for their slaves. The young Alexander conquered India. On his own? Caesar defeated the Gauls. did he at least have a cook with him? Philip of Spain wept when his fleet. Had sunk. Did nobody else weep? Frederick II triumphed in the Seven Years’ War. Who else triumphed beside him? There’s a victory on every page. Who cooked the victory feast? A Great Man every decade. Who paid the expenses? So much history. So many questions.
He marry Isobella because she was clever, had a complete knowledge of history and loved her husband. She knew the value of him having a completely fabulous and brilliant wife while also loving her man and could even after death. Men hate strong women. This is perfect example. Distract all your faults by blame her her favor when you’ve actually done all the good you can.But her kids did quite,thanks to his tutelage!
It is difficult for us to know the truth behind this woman, duchess, queen x 2….as those of us who have studied history are taught more or less what is demonstrated above. We have also seen Eleanor being portrayed by Katherine Hepburn in ‘The Lion in Winter’ and simply by choosing Hepburn, we know the story will be one of guts and risk taking, as well as taking a hit not and again. I imagine that the scandals that surrounded her were imagined as to diminish her, a woman. Indeed, every time a woman had power, she was made out to be emotional, using her “womanly ways” to get what she wanted. From Eleanor to Elizabeth I to Catherine the Great…all mighty rulers in their own rights and all surrounded by scandals..mainly sexual ones. With Victoria, this stopped, of course but it still affected other consorts who were strong, or independent….like Elizabeth “Sissy” of Austria. How Eleanor was written about, gossiped about, etc..was a sign of the times she lived in and, sadly, that attitude about women has continued, indeed, until today about any strong woman in a position of power. Not just monarchs. I am glad I watched this as I have been interested in Eleanor since seeing the above mentioned film.
As the world sucks and American media has drummed this Rona thing into a frenzy like it does every god damn thing I am so grateful for y’all letting me look to the past and revel in the truths of history. History can’t be bought or paid for, the truth is real. 👍👍 I like to think of Eleanor as the first real Queen if in all but name.
“What, at the time, was considered more feminine skills, housekeeping, sewing,etc…” what?! They have to say this? I hate to say it, but they act as if those skills aren’t considered feminine today?! I don’t know what ideal society this narrator is living in, but I believe people today still think these activities are feminine today, whether the narrator would like to admit as much or not!
Geez…ref Louis not receiving a decent education (because he was only the spare)….I understand that this was early times, but why could royal families never seem to learn that ALL of their children needed a great education ? FFS, the kid was known as “the spare”….who decided that the spare was only required to LOOK, like a king ?
my familly Charles-Quint, lui donna pour guide et conseiller intime Hugues Michaud, qui suivit ce prince dans ses glorieuses campagnes des Pays-bas. L’empereur fut tellement satisfait des services que Michaud rendit au jeune Duc et à lui même que, par lettres datées de Bruxelles, le 15 Février 1549, il le créa chevalier et comte palatin d’empire, avec « pouvoir ( ce sont les termes de l’acte ) de légitimer les bâtards, de créer des notaires, d’affranchir les serfs,et autres prérogatives des comtes palatins.
Eleanor was a southern noble. That might not seem like much of a sticking point. But the Parisian (Northern) Court had a ‘horror’ of Provençal women- their last ‘southern’ queen was Constance of Arles, wife of Robert II – the Court was still telling tales about her behaviour in Eleanor’s day. France was nowhere near a united country in this time- as the narrator said, the various dukedoms & counties were powers unto themselves, & the French Crown didn’t yet have the kind of power they would- later in the era.