I recently read Anne O'Brien's 'The Virgin Widow' so I decided to read her second book. I still went back in time before the Tudors to read about Eleanor of Aquitaine. She was a beautiful, strong minded person. I've read about Eleanor before but not sure much about her early life (before she married Henry Plantaenet, Count of Anjou.
Anne O'Brien takes the reader to a young Eleanor, who is waiting for Louis Capet to claim his bride. Louis Capet and Eleanor of Aquitaine are totally different people. Eleanor is more head strong and Louis takes the advice of Abbott Sugar before making any decision. Eleanor thinks that she could change Louis when they get married but in reality, Louis is more of a God fearing man and would rather be at church then ruling a country.
How Eleanor endured her marriage with Louis, I would not understand. A young woman wants to be loved and touched but Louis doesn't give her that. It's embarrassing that even Abbott Sugar or even the Pope must order Louis to bed his wife in order to get an heir.
Would you forgive Eleanor for taking two lovers, even one being her uncle? Anne O'Brien lets Eleanor give her reasons in the book. Eleanor would try to get out of her marriage by announcing an annulment on the grounds of consanguinity. If two people are too close in relation, then the marriage should be voided. However, Louis (and Abbott Sugar) would not let Eleanor go because of her lands. It's what France needs.
Eleanor also experiences heartache and humiliation during the Crusade. Louis would blame her for the loss of half of his army when in reality, it was Louis' poor leadership skills. Louis felt that it was easier to blame her then look to his own fault. After all, getting to the Holy Land was his main focus.
Eleanor would meet her future second husband, when he is still a child. At first, nothing perk her interest until they meet each other again after several years. He would grow up to be a strong military man with his eyes set on being King of England (since he is the rightful heir).
Eventually, Eleanor would be granted her annulment. Henry and Eleanor make a pact, which includes them being married. Now if you thought that Louis and Eleanor are close relations, Henry and Eleanor are much closer relatives. Still, that does not bother Henry. After being with Louis, Henry was a different extreme. Henry did have a temper but he could be gentle with Eleanor. In truth, I would be very scared of Henry Plantagenet. It seems that they truly loved one another, even if Henry didn't show it the way Eleanor would have liked. Still, even though Eleanor did love Henry, I really don't like him.
Overall, it's a good story of Eleanor's early life, mostly during her marriage with Louis before being married to Henry.
