@@j0nnyism I'm a Celt, and much less Anglo Saxon, to a 1/16th Native American... and a fraction of 1% "royal bloodliner..." like half of Europe, and a quarter of the U$?! And a "war of the .000001% works for me! United, we 99.9%ers stand, divided... the "Committee of 300" (000) to "nine unknown inbreds" behind the thinly veiled black curtain... take the 3 BILLION PO' d, Spartans!? RRRaaarrr!!! ;-) I should say I "used to be proud..."until learning how the world, really works. (If you saw my other comments online the past twenty years... you'd know I positively HATE... the current, "ruling elite" narcs and psychos! Round' em ALL UP...) It's interesting to read WHY we humans aren't quite as "civilized..." as we prefer to think, we are. And where this perpetual OWO "divide, and conquer... warring mentality" (knights and masons, to freemasons, etc.) to NWO 'push,' originated. (i.e. The IH$ = i$i$ Horu$ $et cult, back the Canaanites, apparently. And likely 10s of thousands of years or more, prior? :-)
For a woman of her status, might, beauty and legend, there should be a lot more on screen portrayals of Eleanor. She is underrated and often overlooked.
I remember first hearing about her from my mom. In 4th grade we had to read a biography, dress up like the person, and try to guess the person based on information we gave. No one would have known her, but I got a biography about her and have found her fascinating since. Years later doing genealogy, I can trace my lineage to her 😊 while I may not agree with everything my ancestors have done, I am honored to be descended from a strong and intelligent woman
Although not very historically accurate, the Oscar winning movie “The Lion In Winter” is a wonderful movie featuring Eleanor of Aquitaine. It stars Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor (she won the Oscar for her role) Peter O’Toole as Henry, a young Anthony Hopkins as Richard, Timothy Dalton as The young French King Phillip, John Castle as Prince Jeffrey, and Nigel Terry as Prince John... fantastic star studded movie if you like Royal intrigue.
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.
@Jason Bouphasavanh She was probably red-headed or auburn-haired, with brown eyes. We don't have a description of appearance, except to say that she was beautiful, which she probably was, despite traditional puffery. Blonde and blue-eyed were the fashion then. Without getting her DNA, no one can be sure.
Tina - that’s more likely. Eleanor repeatedly backed her sons against Henry II. She was like Livia Augusta - by any means secure her legacy through her children. Although with less murder and more warfare.
I have been interested in her since my husband has retired and di work with his genealogy and found that she is related and King Henry the 2nd would be a great-grandfather but forgot how many back? It is on his mother's side of the family, and it just caused me to want to know more about his ancestors. We have been married 54 years and have two grown sons who are married and they will have at least this information to help them one day if they should have a stronger interest in it all.
Eleanor was psychologically and intellectually superior to those who surrounded her at court. She was stronger in a physical sense than most people of any age. Her ability to survive so many births is phenomenal. Tremendous documentary.😃👏👏👏
I learnt more about this fascinating woman from this documentary, than anything I have watched or read before. She was certainty ahead of her time. Thanks so much for sharing!
Eleanor of Acquitaine was an astute and intelligent woman who had much to do with the reigns of her sons, as well as that of her husband. The fact that she had beauty to go with her brains, no doubt helped. I have always admired her tenacity.🌹
I've become rather taken with Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians and daughter of Alfred the Great. She was a simply incredible woman who played a pivotal role in the founding of England. The direct impact of her actions on the future evolution of world history blows my mind. She, her father, brother, and nephew effectively brought England into existence. She is staggeringly underrated IMO. Find me a woman who had her fingerprints on a more seminal moment in human history.
The history, and lore, of this amazing woman is captivating. I recall the portrayal of her by Kate Hepburn in ‘Lion In Winter,’ many many years ago, and I have been intrigued and beguiled since. Thank you for the lesson!
@@lightningbug276 Far too romanticised.. Mediaeval England was far more gritty than the film portrayed... too Americanised. .it wasn’t all favours for the knights and flowing head mantles.
@@Ionabrodie69 that’s just how Hollywood is. Look at Braveheart, gets the auld patriotic juices flowing but extremely inaccurate. The word Braveheart is actually associated with Robert the Bruce. I’ve never understood why they do this as the truth is always much more fascinating than fiction.
James Dezelan. My favourite movie, the acting and the one liners are unforgettable . Hard to explain how great unless you've seen it. It was written as play by William Goldburg. I have another book he wrote about Eleanor and Henry , it is so funny. I'll look for it and get back to you with the details.
That's the best film version by far. My favorite film and I watch it around Christmas every couple of years. Great cast,great acting and so hilarious in parts.
You should do a Biography of Matilda, Henry II's Mother, as she is so often over looked. Now she was tough as nails, especially when she escaped from a besieged Oxford Castle in a white sheet during a blizzard.
Mathilde was Holy Roman Empress in her own right, and ruled England as Henry I's daughter and only heir. Her son became Henry II, by way of King Stephen, as described in the documentary. The English court couldn't tolerate a woman telling them what to do and she was reviled as a she-wolf simply for doing her job as ruler. In the day of course, that was unheard of, and Eleanor had good company at Fontevraud. Mathilde also lived a very long life, and just as illustrious, and was my 25th great grandmother.
Mathilde was FOR SURE amazing, and it'd be awesome if the BBC, Showtime or HBO did a 3 season series about her, Eleanor, and Margaret d'Anjou. I would watch them AND I would purchase the blu rays!
I didn't know much about Elenor just that she was an early badass. I am happy to know more. I don't blame her taking her kids side. Kings with the name Henry had issues.
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!"
I have multiple lines to her but the shortest being as my 23rd great grandmother. Hi, cousin. Just out of curiosity, are you the direct descendant of kings and queens from almost every country in Europe as I am? Something tells me it's uncommon not to be once you reach an ancestral line of elite class.
I am also a granddaughter of hers and not at all surprised at her spirit and resilience. Her intelligence and beauty served her as well. I pray her strength lives on in us cousin!
@@ruthannfalkenstein2098 Yeah, it's direct descent with great grandparents in the range of 20th-40th great grandparents. A couple of things I have found interesting are: 1. How my 8th great grandparents (Trowbridge) each have their own lines to various royalty but their son, grandson, and great grandson leading to me all married women with direct descent to various royalty throughout Europe and the northern Middle East (everything circling the Black Sea) which gives me direct descent throughout Europe. 2. Tons of important American figures like George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, many other founding fathers, Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King JR, and tons of others are distant cousins of mine. I've always been very proud of and grateful for being American but now take serious pride in knowing just how influential my direct ancestors and cousins shaped the world we live in.
I have read Philippa's Tudor and Wideacre trilogy novels so far. I didn't know Philippa did one on Elenor. I will Google it though. What is it called and have you read it. I am currently reading Alison Weir's historical fiction story of Elenor. The Captive Queen
I found through my genealogy that Eleanor of Aquitaine is my 24th great grandmother through two of her children, by both her husbands. Through her my 23rd great grandfather is John I “Lackland” King of England, whose father was Henry II “Curtmantle” King of England my 24th great grandfather. King Henry was her second husband, Then through her daughter Marie Capet de France Comtesse de Champagne my 23rd great grandmother, whose father was Louis VII Le Jeune King of France was another 24th great grandfather. He was Eleanor of Aquitaine’s first husband. It is great to watch a video of a direct ancestor. She was very interesting. What we all fail to realize is how many people is takes to make “one” of us. I would encourage everybody to investigate their genealogy!
@@mistydelaine6088 Yes I definitely agree. You come from prestigious lines indeed! My lineage can be traced back to Edward I and the line descends through John of Gaunt. I also have Welsh Royalty on my mother's side. I found it fascinating researching my ancestors, it is a really satisfying thing to do.
Some 25 years ago I read a biography over Alienore of Aquitaine and found her to be an ambitious real politic force of her era as well as romantic and a loving mother. Fascinating woman!
This is an amazingly well-scripted documentary piece. Hail to the writer/s! Expertly-paced, with no lulls and few rushed bits. The authors kept it relevant, relatable, and poignant. Thank you.
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.
One of my favorite women of history that although referenced quite a bit on England history documentaries, is rarely examined in-depth in standalone docs. Thanks TPP! I like the medieval ones you guys do most of all.
She was a commando, a brilliant strategist, a lover of beauty, a mother 10 times over, a survivor, a patriot, a penitent, a lioness for all time. Eleonora, Regina Anglorum, salus et vita!
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 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.
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.
It is nice to see these biographies of people in the family tree; right? I do so enjoy learning more about people in my family tree as well. These biographies are amazing
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about this remarkable woman, wife, mother & niece. I would love to hear more about her daughters & grandchildren. Thanks for all your hard work.
it's happy to share with another peoples hwo in need, specially those can't buy books! I hope they love to watching, listen and reading about stories for future 🙂🙂
“The Lion in Winter” is the best portrayal of this couple, Henry II and the imprisoned Eleanor. Katherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole at Christmas Court at Chinon Castle squaring off with unmatched dialogue and energy. She was right about John.
Friday early evening, the day's heat is slowly letting up a bit, working week's done, and I get to watch a well-made exhaustive documentary about one of the really interesting women in European history. Thanks!
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.
The French Queens of England were rather stubborrn. Eleanor was smart, intelligent far more educated than her husband, cunning, beautiful, strong minded. Isabella of France, wife of Edward II was more cold blooded ( like her father) ferocious, smart. Margaret of Anjou wife of Henry VI was absolutely a bloody Queen, leading armies, cutting heads off. And finally came Joan of Arc..... Not a Queen but stubborrn, incredibly courageous , intelligent and although beeing a peasant led armies ! Amazing !
If by "people", you specifically mean women, ok. But overall, not really. My main reservation is that Eleanor's role in the history of France properly speaking is rather marginal and was cut short due to the circumstances of her marital problems with King Louis.. Her major life accomplishments were for the benefit of England, not France (or the equivalent of France back then). So, as a historical figure, she has unquestionably a major female figure who happened to be from Aquitaine, which was not yet part of France. .. Frustrating, but history is full of facts that don't meet our modern expectations (being ironic here...). That being said, I admire her too, although I wouldn't make too much of her Aquitanian origins
@@raminagrobis6112 "Aquitaine, which was not yet part of France" : the Duchy of Aquitaine was vassal to the Kingdom of France. Even after Eleanor's second marriage, the Kings of England had to swear fealty to the Kings of France for their continental domains. Aquitaine wasn't part of the royal domain, it should have been had she got a son with Louis VII, but it still was part of the Kingdom of France during most of the Angevin Empire's time, except some periods during the Hundred Years War.
Important in French history, yes. But she was not French. Her mother tongue was a dialect of Occitan. She was Queen of England, but her husband the king spoke not even Norman French but the Angevin dialect of French.
One of the thing I like about this documentary is the debunking of the story of the « Court of Love ». It’s hard to imagine Eleanor doing something which would have caused her to be derided at the time. She certainly knew that « love » was a fiction for the nobility.
Elanore of Aquataine is one of England,s greatest queens a lady you did not want to cross, she was intelligent and fierce, a truely great woman whom I greatly admire. Next to Queen Anne Stuart, she is my favorite English/British queens.
Well this channel is new to me,and I thought I knew of Eleonar's life. I do, but only starting with her marriage to Henry II. All of this is new to me. I even know something of the life of Conrad II,but again his Crusading and defeat is new to me. I thought the divorce was for Louis being unable or unwilling to share a bed with her. Not consanguinuity. So. I do hope the channel prospers,and have subscribed,despite real reluctance to add to my now unwieldy list. All the best to both of you.
Unrelated,but if you are interested,the 1973 or so movie,Robin and Marion, Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn,is a wonderful way to spend an evening. Robert Shaw the Sherrif of Nottingham. Terrific movie.
Would you consider to make the biography of the four daughters of the count of Provence ? Those medieval queens were also very influential in medieval times .
If you mean that long-haired, dark-browed painting that comes up repeatedly, to me it looks as if it might have been based on Katherine Hepburn, who portrayed Eleanor in _The Lion in Winter._
Talented statesman and an incredibly attractive woman, both. She was stardust, I betcha. Absolute lightning. As are 80% of people of English descent, it's good to be one of her millions of descendants.
@@antoinemozart243 That is absolutely true, but she is also the ancestor of most English people alive today., through her great-great-great grandson, Edward III.
@@antoinemozart243 No. I'm not kidding. Eleanor's great-great-great-grandson, Edward III (ruled 1327-1377), had five sons -- of whom there are many millions of descendants among the English people. IF you're of English descent, your more likely than not to be Edward's -- and therefore Eleanor's -- descendant. That and four bucks will get you a cup of coffee at Starbuck's. . One out of every eight Asians -- not counting those south of the Himalayas, I suppose -- is descended from Genghis Khan. That is a fact, too. When you multiply descendants over dozens or scores of generations, these ancestral gene markers will turn up in genetic testing on a scale that seems implausible. To go back 300 years, say -- 12 generations -- you have 2 to the 12th power = 4096 ancestors. Go back 6oo years -- 24 generations, you have some 17 million ancestors. It's arithmetic.
Near the end of the video, I keep hearing and then in 12…. And expect to hear she finally passed away, but instead it goes: “she embarked on this long journey” or “lead this army on this campaign”. In her late 70’s! Very impressive.
@chris andrewes William the Marshal was only a boy during Stephen's reign but William's father, John Marshal was on the wrong side during the Anarchy civil war between Stephen and his cousin Matilda. Stephen laid siege to William's father's castle, Newbury Castle and took young William hostage even threatening to fire the boy out of a catapult to his death if John didn't surrender. To which John is said to have replied "I have the anvils and the hammers to forge still better sons!". King Stephen in the end couldn't bring himself to kill the boy William.
@@theblackprince1346 Yes I’ve read quite a few books on William Marshall ( factual ) and he was an amazing statesman. What a prime Minister he would have made ( now )
Thing just is if you train the spare too good and but the heir stay healthy and strong, then you are essentially making stage for future rebellions. We honestly shouldn’t count on family love when it came to power.
Henry the 8th was also a spare to his older brother Arthur. I never understood it either especially back then when mortality rates were so high. Why wouldn't you train the back up?
This video 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.
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!
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.
Insulting is an Olympic stretch. My eye lashes look like that naturally. I do agree that the stylistic image doesn't match the the video's theme of primary sources used throughout.
Make up has been in use even in antiquity (not only rome and egypt, but also germanic territories, wich france basically is one of (hence the name)). According to some archeologists even things like nailpolish not unlike the nailpolish known today were known in ancient rome, so no need to assume medieval queens wouldn't have used some forms of make-up. Especially taken into consideration, that people in antiquity and in the medieval times liked to put color on everything (those ancient greek temples like the akropolis? In ancient times a colorful display we would consider unasthaetic... medieval castles had colourful painted walls, even the furniture in a simple farmers house was painted in many different colours. They even coloured their food to make it look more pleasant and appealing. So it is rather save to assume that a woman back then, especially if she had no problem affording it, would use make-up, not at the very least to showcase her wealth. Her hair would most likely be covered though, that was a common thin in medieval europe as showing hair often times had been seen as indecent.
I have read and watched many documentaries on Eleanor, I believe she was a very wise woman aware of a legacy that her ancestors and future descents deserved from the status of her knowledge of it. I admire the woman.
I don't allow minor things such as whether I enjoy the narrator's style to bother me. The subject was original, well documented and interesting. That's what counts.
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Well done. I'm proud to be a descendant of the Viking king Rolo, William the Conqueror, Eleanor, Richard the Lionheart, etc.
Could u do one on Edith Swan neck please
@@williamtiffee3799 I’m a proud Celt we should go to war!
@@j0nnyism I'm a Celt, and much less Anglo Saxon, to a 1/16th Native American... and a fraction of 1% "royal bloodliner..." like half of Europe, and a quarter of the U$?! And a "war of the .000001% works for me! United, we 99.9%ers stand, divided... the "Committee of 300" (000) to "nine unknown inbreds" behind the thinly veiled black curtain... take the 3 BILLION PO' d, Spartans!? RRRaaarrr!!! ;-)
I should say I "used to be proud..."until learning how the world, really works. (If you saw my other comments online the past twenty years... you'd know I positively HATE... the current, "ruling elite" narcs and psychos! Round' em ALL UP...) It's interesting to read WHY we humans aren't quite as "civilized..." as we prefer to think, we are. And where this perpetual OWO "divide, and conquer... warring mentality" (knights and masons, to freemasons, etc.) to NWO 'push,' originated. (i.e. The IH$ = i$i$ Horu$ $et cult, back the Canaanites, apparently. And likely 10s of thousands of years or more, prior? :-)
Thnxx 🙇♂️ plz do also on other European middle Eastern, Afhgan royalty, Asian, china Japan, Korean, indian royaltys too❗🙇🏻♀️
For a woman of her status, might, beauty and legend, there should be a lot more on screen portrayals of Eleanor. She is underrated and often overlooked.
I remember first hearing about her from my mom. In 4th grade we had to read a biography, dress up like the person, and try to guess the person based on information we gave. No one would have known her, but I got a biography about her and have found her fascinating since. Years later doing genealogy, I can trace my lineage to her 😊 while I may not agree with everything my ancestors have done, I am honored to be descended from a strong and intelligent woman
I think I read somewhere that there's going to be a drama series about her. similar to the spanish princess.
"Timeline" has a great documentary on her problems with Henry and trying to protect her sons.
Although not very historically accurate, the Oscar winning movie “The Lion In Winter” is a wonderful movie featuring Eleanor of Aquitaine. It stars Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor (she won the Oscar for her role) Peter O’Toole as Henry, a young Anthony Hopkins as Richard, Timothy Dalton as The young French King Phillip, John Castle as Prince Jeffrey, and Nigel Terry as Prince John... fantastic star studded movie if you like Royal intrigue.
@@ericdudley4169 - I’ve been meaning to watch that for a while! I need to see where I can find it to watch
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.
“Trees are not known by their leaves, nor even by their blossoms, but by their fruits.”
Eleanor of Aquitaine
@Jason Bouphasavanh She was probably red-headed or auburn-haired, with brown eyes. We don't have a description of appearance, except to say that she was beautiful, which she probably was, despite traditional puffery. Blonde and blue-eyed were the fashion then. Without getting her DNA, no one can be sure.
@Jason Bouphasavanh ... It is another way of saying actions speak louder then words. Beauty fades and then ends must justify the means.
She clearly haven’t seen Sakura trees 😂😂😂✌️✌️✌️
Well, I think it means one’s children are the most important of one’s legacy.
Tina - that’s more likely. Eleanor repeatedly backed her sons against Henry II.
She was like Livia Augusta - by any means secure her legacy through her children. Although with less murder and more warfare.
I have admired Eleanor since I was a teen, and I am now 77. She was amazing.
omg. such a bad comment bro. give up the trolling mate! xD.
I have been interested in her since my husband has retired and di work with his genealogy and found that she is related and King Henry the 2nd would be a great-grandfather but forgot how many back? It is on his mother's side of the family, and it just caused me to want to know more about his ancestors. We have been married 54 years and have two grown sons who are married and they will have at least this information to help them one day if they should have a stronger interest in it all.
Eleanor was one of history's truly grand ladies.
I’ve found I’m a direct descendant of her on both my mom and dad’s side.
@@AaronKinney-sd9rk Very cool.
Eleanor was psychologically and intellectually superior to those who surrounded her at court. She was stronger in a physical sense than most people of any age. Her ability to survive so many births is phenomenal. Tremendous documentary.😃👏👏👏
She lived to a long, ripe life of 82, a very remarkable age during that time!
Really? What was the average lifespan back then?
I learnt more about this fascinating woman from this documentary, than anything I have watched or read before. She was certainty ahead of her time. Thanks so much for sharing!
Glad you enjoyed it
Eleanor of Acquitaine was an astute and intelligent woman who had much to do with the reigns of her sons, as well as that of her husband. The fact that she had beauty to go with her brains, no doubt helped. I have always admired her tenacity.🌹
I always felt Matilda and Eleanor laid the groundwork for Elizabeth’s later strength and glory, old England was one helluva glass ceiling for women.
100 percent agree.
They never had it easy. They are called shewolfs
I've become rather taken with Aethelflaed, Lady of the Mercians and daughter of Alfred the Great. She was a simply incredible woman who played a pivotal role in the founding of England. The direct impact of her actions on the future evolution of world history blows my mind. She, her father, brother, and nephew effectively brought England into existence. She is staggeringly underrated IMO. Find me a woman who had her fingerprints on a more seminal moment in human history.
@@ericbrown1101 thanks I’ll look her up I’ve not learned about her.
The history, and lore, of this amazing woman is captivating.
I recall the portrayal of her by Kate Hepburn in ‘Lion In Winter,’ many many years ago, and I have been intrigued and beguiled since.
Thank you for the lesson!
One of my favorite movies of all time. I know it well enough to quote lines. A dramedy for the ages.
Love that movie!
@@lightningbug276 Far too romanticised.. Mediaeval England was far more gritty than the film portrayed... too Americanised. .it wasn’t all favours for the knights and flowing head mantles.
@@Ionabrodie69 that’s just how Hollywood is. Look at Braveheart, gets the auld patriotic juices flowing but extremely inaccurate. The word Braveheart is actually associated with Robert the Bruce. I’ve never understood why they do this as the truth is always much more fascinating than fiction.
Audrey Hepburn was excellent as Queen Eleanor. I wish someone would make a movie about her life.
Watch "The Lion In Winter" with Peter O'Toole as Henry II, Katherine Hepburn as Eleanor, and Anthony Hopkins as Richard.
James Dezelan. My favourite movie, the acting and the one liners are unforgettable . Hard to explain how great unless you've seen it. It was written as play by William Goldburg. I have another book he wrote about Eleanor and Henry , it is so funny. I'll look for it and get back to you with the details.
James Dezelan I recall the film . Excellent . I’ve also seen the stage play . Would love to see another stage production.
Sounds amazing just on the cast alone.
That's the best film version by far. My favorite film and I watch it around Christmas every couple of years. Great cast,great acting and so hilarious in parts.
One of my top 5 movies of all time! The acting was brilliant!
You should do a Biography of Matilda, Henry II's Mother, as she is so often over looked. Now she was tough as nails, especially when she escaped from a besieged Oxford Castle in a white sheet during a blizzard.
That inspired Sansa's escape from Winterfell.
Mathilde was Holy Roman Empress in her own right, and ruled England as Henry I's daughter and only heir. Her son became Henry II, by way of King Stephen, as described in the documentary. The English court couldn't tolerate a woman telling them what to do and she was reviled as a she-wolf simply for doing her job as ruler. In the day of course, that was unheard of, and Eleanor had good company at Fontevraud. Mathilde also lived a very long life, and just as illustrious, and was my 25th great grandmother.
@@lucyosborne9239 How nice for you...
Mathilde was FOR SURE amazing, and it'd be awesome if the BBC, Showtime or HBO did a 3 season series about her, Eleanor, and Margaret d'Anjou. I would watch them AND I would purchase the blu rays!
@@lucyosborne9239 HELLO COUSIN AS MATILDA WAS MY 29TH GREAT GMOTHER & ELEANOR WAS MY 28TH GREAT GMOTHER..
I didn't know much about Elenor just that she was an early badass. I am happy to know more. I don't blame her taking her kids side. Kings with the name Henry had issues.
Especially the English Henrys.
Not Henry VII! He was good! Also faithful to Lizzie.
quite true! but so had English kings with the name of Richard...
@@abby5716 faithful to Lizzie who?
Henry ii was exactly the way he had to be to remain king back in that era.
I was watching this for the second time while working on a painting of Eleanor for a play about her life,
I'm going to tell my teacher to watch this
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!"
I have multiple lines to her but the shortest being as my 23rd great grandmother. Hi, cousin. Just out of curiosity, are you the direct descendant of kings and queens from almost every country in Europe as I am? Something tells me it's uncommon not to be once you reach an ancestral line of elite class.
I am also a granddaughter of hers and not at all surprised at her spirit and resilience. Her intelligence and beauty served her as well. I pray her strength lives on in us cousin!
She is my 26th great-Grandmother.
@@bobryant9923 yes you are probably related if distantly to all the royalty in Europe!
@@ruthannfalkenstein2098 Yeah, it's direct descent with great grandparents in the range of 20th-40th great grandparents. A couple of things I have found interesting are: 1. How my 8th great grandparents (Trowbridge) each have their own lines to various royalty but their son, grandson, and great grandson leading to me all married women with direct descent to various royalty throughout Europe and the northern Middle East (everything circling the Black Sea) which gives me direct descent throughout Europe. 2. Tons of important American figures like George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, many other founding fathers, Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King JR, and tons of others are distant cousins of mine. I've always been very proud of and grateful for being American but now take serious pride in knowing just how influential my direct ancestors and cousins shaped the world we live in.
In Medieval history there's no more intriguing figure than Eleanor. Truly a remarkable woman.
Matilda her mother in law was just as powerful if not more so..she paved the way for Eleanor.
I agree
@@Ionabrodie69 I would say that Matilda did not have such intersting life as Eleanor but agre she was another influential queen.
Been an Eleanor fan since I was a child she and her mother in law Matilda are so often overlooked!
You are so lucky to have learned about her in your childhood. I was an adult before I found out about her
Only by the type of history lover that reads Phillipa Gregory. ..!!
@@Ionabrodie69 that would include me. I have every book ever written by Philippa Gregory.
I have read Philippa's Tudor and Wideacre trilogy novels so far. I didn't know Philippa did one on Elenor. I will Google it though. What is it called and have you read it. I am currently reading Alison Weir's historical fiction story of Elenor. The Captive Queen
@@helend7542 thank you for the recommendation I will!!
A truly important woman of medieval times, her significance cannot be overstated.
I found through my genealogy that Eleanor of Aquitaine is my 24th great grandmother through two of her children, by both her husbands. Through her my 23rd great grandfather is John I “Lackland” King of England, whose father was Henry II “Curtmantle” King of England my 24th great grandfather. King Henry was her second husband, Then through her daughter Marie Capet de France Comtesse de Champagne my 23rd great grandmother, whose father was Louis VII Le Jeune King of France was another 24th great grandfather. He was Eleanor of Aquitaine’s first husband. It is great to watch a video of a direct ancestor. She was very interesting. What we all fail to realize is how many people is takes to make “one” of us. I would encourage everybody to investigate their genealogy!
@@mistydelaine6088 Yes I definitely agree. You come from prestigious lines indeed! My lineage can be traced back to Edward I and the line descends through John of Gaunt. I also have Welsh Royalty on my mother's side. I found it fascinating researching my ancestors, it is a really satisfying thing to do.
Everything can be overstated
@Jacqueline - In her lifetime, she was the richest woman in the world.
@Misty DeLaine her native language and culture was occitan
Some 25 years ago I read a biography over Alienore of Aquitaine and found her to be an ambitious real politic force of her era as well as romantic and a loving mother. Fascinating woman!
What a formable woman she was. She was ahead of her time.
Formable?
This is an amazingly well-scripted documentary piece. Hail to the writer/s! Expertly-paced, with no lulls and few rushed bits. The authors kept it relevant, relatable, and poignant. Thank you.
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.
This awesome, not many channels have tackled Eleanor so thanks!
Glad you liked it!
One of my favorite women of history that although referenced quite a bit on England history documentaries, is rarely examined in-depth in standalone docs. Thanks TPP! I like the medieval ones you guys do most of all.
One of the biggest bad ass ladies of the Middle Ages! Well done!
She was a commando, a brilliant strategist, a lover of beauty, a mother 10 times over, a survivor, a patriot, a penitent, a lioness for all time.
Eleonora, Regina Anglorum, salus et vita!
Eleanor was a total badass. She lived her life her way, just how any human should.
This brilliant woman went on one hell of a journey.
She was an amazing woman. Worthy of song and praise. She did what no other woman of the time could do.
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.
I read that book when I was in high school, c. 1957 -- it's that old. An engaging read about this fascinating woman.
I have a copy and intend to pass it on to my grand daughter in a few years.
All these eons later and she's still a great role model. She's definitely in my top 3 favorite Queens. She was strong, smart and brave
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.
A woman who didn't " stay in her lane" well ahead of her time!
I loce how she’s such a mama bear protecting and guiding her kids
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.
I didn't know much about Eleanor at first, but after seeing this video, I have deep adoration for her
Read about Isabella the she wolf she's also very fascinating
Read Sharon Penmans books on the Plantagenets. Amazing
one of the greatest queens of Europe. very impressed by her life's total work. Very smart, and beautiful woman of the time.
Being one of her 23rd great grandsons, I thank you for your effort. Also, it's very heartwarming to read so many comments of praise.
She is also in my genealogy
Hey same here! She's my 28th great grandmother!
One of the ballsiest ladies in history.
Absolutely!
she's up there w/Elizabeth Woodville & Margaret Beaufort & Anne Neville 👸🥰
Thank you for covering Eleanor's story, well done! ❤️
Lately it seems you’re doing biographies of people in my family tree. Very much appreciated
It is nice to see these biographies of people in the family tree; right? I do so enjoy learning more about people in my family tree as well. These biographies are amazing
I appreciate these videos too.
Eleanor is my 21x great grandma.
This is actually a very good and helpful survey of Eleanor's life.
I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about this remarkable woman, wife, mother & niece. I would love to hear more about her daughters & grandchildren. Thanks for all your hard work.
John needed his mother like no one else.
it's happy to share with another peoples hwo in need, specially those can't buy books! I hope they love to watching, listen and reading about stories for future 🙂🙂
I am so very proud to be a descendent of this amazing woman, Eleanor of Aquitaine.
I am proud to be a descendent of this amazing woman, Eleanor of Aquitaine, as well. She was a brilliant woman for her time.
“The Lion in Winter” is the best portrayal of this couple, Henry II and the imprisoned Eleanor. Katherine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole at Christmas Court at Chinon Castle squaring off with unmatched dialogue and energy. She was right about John.
I have been fascinated by Eleanor for over 50 years. She wss an incredible person. A very good doco. Thank you
Lion in winter is a superb film Katherine Hepburns description of Rosamund is one of the best put downs ever.
I am a direct descendant, by her son, King John. Love it. 😎
What a life lived, has to be one of the most badass ladies ever!
I would LOVE to see a good movie made on her life. Such an interesting person!
Absolutely or even a series
'Lion in the Winter'.
@Jeannie Seibert Sorry but Too Americanised, ..
Lion in Winter.Great cast.
I'd love to see a more modern version
Friday early evening, the day's heat is slowly letting up a bit, working week's done, and I get to watch a well-made exhaustive documentary about one of the really interesting women in European history. Thanks!
Enjoy!
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.
The French Queens of England were rather stubborrn. Eleanor was smart, intelligent far more educated than her husband, cunning, beautiful, strong minded. Isabella of France, wife of Edward II was more cold blooded ( like her father) ferocious, smart. Margaret of Anjou wife of Henry VI was absolutely a bloody Queen, leading armies, cutting heads off. And finally came Joan of Arc..... Not a Queen but stubborrn, incredibly courageous , intelligent and although beeing a peasant led armies ! Amazing !
I love your name💕
Fantastic video, full of details and very entertaining. Thank you
This was so interesting. I would love to hear more about her Grandmother, Dangereuse de l'Isle Bouchard.
Absolutely amazing English people,history,music,religion,laws,heritage and culture.
This woman was one of the greatest people in French history. I love her
What about Joan of ark?
If by "people", you specifically mean women, ok. But overall, not really. My main reservation is that Eleanor's role in the history of France properly speaking is rather marginal and was cut short due to the circumstances of her marital problems with King Louis.. Her major life accomplishments were for the benefit of England, not France (or the equivalent of France back then). So, as a historical figure, she has unquestionably a major female figure who happened to be from Aquitaine, which was not yet part of France. .. Frustrating, but history is full of facts that don't meet our modern expectations (being ironic here...). That being said, I admire her too, although I wouldn't make too much of her Aquitanian origins
@@raminagrobis6112 "Aquitaine, which was not yet part of France" : the Duchy of Aquitaine was vassal to the Kingdom of France. Even after Eleanor's second marriage, the Kings of England had to swear fealty to the Kings of France for their continental domains. Aquitaine wasn't part of the royal domain, it should have been had she got a son with Louis VII, but it still was part of the Kingdom of France during most of the Angevin Empire's time, except some periods during the Hundred Years War.
Important in French history, yes. But she was not French. Her mother tongue was a dialect of Occitan. She was Queen of England, but her husband the king spoke not even Norman French but the Angevin dialect of French.
@@raminagrobis6112 Her goal was always to benefit her inheritance of Aquitaine.
She was an able leader in a tempestuous time.
Currently reading Eleanor of Aquatine by Allison Weir, very good biography
Thanks!! I'm going to look for it tomorrow at the library❤
She kicked ass first and asked questions later 😁
@Andievo4U2 times were very different difficult and different than the times of today during that time a person had to be tough in order to survive
Thank you for this thoroughly engrossing presentation.
Eleanor is my 26x great grandma and I'm so pleased to be able to find out about her.
One of the thing I like about this documentary is the debunking of the story of the « Court of Love ».
It’s hard to imagine Eleanor doing something which would have caused her to be derided at the time. She certainly knew that « love » was a fiction for the nobility.
One of the strongest figures in the history of her time in a mans world. I got excited to see this in my feed. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
She was an awesome queen❤
Yayyy!!!👏👏👏🙌 Waiting on this one. Keep them coming!!!
Sign...a history buff💪
You sound like being a history buff is a bad thing lol it's actually a turn on lol
@@joshrayborn1418 no not at all.
Elanore of Aquataine is one of England,s greatest queens a lady you did not want to cross, she was intelligent and fierce, a truely great woman whom I greatly admire. Next to Queen Anne Stuart, she is my favorite English/British queens.
Well I thought this channel would eventually explode in popularity... turns out there aren't too many people interested in unbiased history.
We'll get there.
Well this channel is new to me,and I thought I knew of Eleonar's life. I do, but only starting with her marriage to Henry II. All of this is new to me. I even know something of the life of Conrad II,but again his Crusading and defeat is new to me. I thought the divorce was for Louis being unable or unwilling to share a bed with her. Not consanguinuity.
So. I do hope the channel prospers,and have subscribed,despite real reluctance to add to my now unwieldy list. All the best to both of you.
Unrelated,but if you are interested,the 1973 or so movie,Robin and Marion, Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn,is a wonderful way to spend an evening. Robert Shaw the Sherrif of Nottingham. Terrific movie.
@@paulmanson253 Thank you for your comment and welcome to the channel.
The problem is the narrator sounds like British Kermit the Frog, get a new narrator and this channel would pick up steam.
Finally!!!! Thank u for making this!
So informative, i didnt know that aquataine dated back to the 800.
I’ve been waiting for someone to do more on Eleanor !
Thank you for the information on our family tree🌹
Would you consider to make the biography of the four daughters of the count of Provence ? Those medieval queens were also very influential in medieval times .
As usual, historical research to perfection.Great momentum..I swear that queens photo is an famous actress i cant remember who though.Great work guys.
The picture reminds me of young Tara Fitzgerald.
If you mean that long-haired, dark-browed painting that comes up repeatedly, to me it looks as if it might have been based on Katherine Hepburn, who portrayed Eleanor in _The Lion in Winter._
Talented statesman and an incredibly attractive woman, both. She was stardust, I betcha. Absolute lightning.
As are 80% of people of English descent, it's good to be one of her millions of descendants.
Eleanor was 100 % French...like the Plantagenets were French .
@@antoinemozart243 That is absolutely true, but she is also the ancestor of most English people alive today., through her great-great-great grandson, Edward III.
@@ralphnoyes4366 most ? Are you kidding ?
@@antoinemozart243 No. I'm not kidding.
Eleanor's great-great-great-grandson, Edward III (ruled 1327-1377), had five sons -- of whom there are many millions of descendants among the English people. IF you're of English descent, your more likely than not to be Edward's -- and therefore Eleanor's -- descendant.
That and four bucks will get you a cup of coffee at Starbuck's. .
One out of every eight Asians -- not counting those south of the Himalayas, I suppose -- is descended from Genghis Khan. That is a fact, too.
When you multiply descendants over dozens or scores of generations, these ancestral gene markers will turn up in genetic testing on a scale that seems implausible.
To go back 300 years, say -- 12 generations -- you have 2 to the 12th power = 4096 ancestors. Go back 6oo years -- 24 generations, you have some 17 million ancestors.
It's arithmetic.
@@ralphnoyes4366 yes but in Edward III 's Time there were one million families in England not being plantagenet , so what you said is irrelevant.
I find a documentary about Eleanor finally and have to listen to this voice?😣
Near the end of the video, I keep hearing and then in 12…. And expect to hear she finally passed away, but instead it goes: “she embarked on this long journey” or “lead this army on this campaign”. In her late 70’s! Very impressive.
I think she was a mixture of both modern and at the same time a good ruler, and a good mother
She was an amazing wonderful woman
Many of these biographies are in my family tree. It is so interesting to learn more about these people.
Glad you like them, many more to come!
Awesome content! I got interested in looking into the Plantagenet dynasty after your King Edward III video, and now seeing this one is nice. Thanks!
Eleanor of Aquitaine is my hero ❤❤❤
EXCELLENT!!!!! Thank You..very precise and the timeline was so easy to follow
What a remarkable, powerful and extremely clever lady!
William the Marshal would be a great future video, just saying. Also you're nearly at 100k well done mate on the masterful content you create.
Great suggestion!
That would be great!! I'd love to see that.
@chris andrewes William the Marshal was only a boy during Stephen's reign but William's father, John Marshal was on the wrong side during the Anarchy civil war between Stephen and his cousin Matilda. Stephen laid siege to William's father's castle, Newbury Castle and took young William hostage even threatening to fire the boy out of a catapult to his death if John didn't surrender. To which John is said to have replied "I have the anvils and the hammers to forge still better sons!". King Stephen in the end couldn't bring himself to kill the boy William.
@chris andrewes I haven't actually. Might have to buy a copy.
@@theblackprince1346 Yes I’ve read quite a few books on William Marshall ( factual ) and he was an amazing statesman. What a prime Minister he would have made ( now )
What was the point of having a spare If not to train him for possible succession? Another of the seemingly senseless monarchical behaviors.
Thing just is if you train the spare too good and but the heir stay healthy and strong, then you are essentially making stage for future rebellions.
We honestly shouldn’t count on family love when it came to power.
Henry the 8th was also a spare to his older brother Arthur. I never understood it either especially back then when mortality rates were so high. Why wouldn't you train the back up?
This video 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.
Theese historic documentaries are more hard core soap opera than bold and the beautiful today.
The first painting we see (obviously not Eleanor from life) is the most beautiful face I've ever seen. I wonder if the model really looks like that?
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!
The Lion In Winter brought me here. Fantastic film.
I love the way you narrate the story ♥
Everyone wanting to know more about Eleanor of Aquitaine should watch the movie The Lion in Winter.
A remarkable princess, a fabulous human being
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.
Phyl Wilton I thought she looked remarkably like Emma Watson. It was distracting.
Yes they picture her looking like a 90’s supermodel. It bugged me too.
Insulting is an Olympic stretch. My eye lashes look like that naturally.
I do agree that the stylistic image doesn't match the the video's theme of primary sources used throughout.
I agree about the modern look you chose for her. I also think her hair should be up and styled for the times.
Make up has been in use even in antiquity (not only rome and egypt, but also germanic territories, wich france basically is one of (hence the name)). According to some archeologists even things like nailpolish not unlike the nailpolish known today were known in ancient rome, so no need to assume medieval queens wouldn't have used some forms of make-up. Especially taken into consideration, that people in antiquity and in the medieval times liked to put color on everything (those ancient greek temples like the akropolis? In ancient times a colorful display we would consider unasthaetic... medieval castles had colourful painted walls, even the furniture in a simple farmers house was painted in many different colours. They even coloured their food to make it look more pleasant and appealing. So it is rather save to assume that a woman back then, especially if she had no problem affording it, would use make-up, not at the very least to showcase her wealth.
Her hair would most likely be covered though, that was a common thin in medieval europe as showing hair often times had been seen as indecent.
I have read and watched many documentaries on Eleanor, I believe she was a very wise woman aware of a legacy that her ancestors and future descents deserved from the status of her knowledge of it.
I admire the woman.
I don't allow minor things such as whether I enjoy the narrator's style to bother me. The subject was original, well documented and interesting. That's what counts.
Her grandmother was, truly, named Dangerous Woman (Dangereuse). Absolutely destined to be a badass.
Nice to learn about one of my ancestors